A cold winter night blanketed the city, and mist curled around the streetlamps like ghosts. On a quiet road, Rishi's car hummed through the darkness, his friend Raj slumped beside him in the passenger seat, still buzzing from the party they'd left behind.
"Why did you leave so early, yaar?" Raj slurred, swaying slightly in his seat. "The party was fire! So many pretty girls... and the liquor was cheaper than water!"
Rishi rolled his eyes, keeping his eyes on the road. "You and your alcohol. Grow up, Raj. We've got an important meeting tomorrow."
"Rishi...." Raj suddenly froze. "Gho-ghost! Look ahead!"
Startled, Rishi slammed the brakes. But instead of a ghost, a girl stood in the road, frantically waving for help.
"You idiot," Rishi said, "that's a girl in trouble."
He stepped out of the car, but Raj yelped. "Don't leave me! I'm not married yet!"
Rishi smirked and got back in just as the girl reached the car, panting. Without a word, she slid into the backseat, trembling. Raj blinked. "Oh... she's actually pretty."
Rishi shot him a look. "Will you let her speak?"
The girl's voice cracked. "Please help me. Some goons are after me..."
Raj fumbled with the door handle, suddenly fired up. "Where are they? I'll show them!"
But the door wouldn't budge. Rishi shook his head and said, "Relax, Raj. We'll drop her somewhere safe."
The girl nodded, still shaken, and asked for water. Raj handed her a bottle, and Rishi started the car.
But just a few minutes later, Raj turned to check on her and let out a loud gasp. "Bhai... she's dead!"
Rishi hit the brakes. "Idiot, she's fainted! Stop the drama or I'll knock you out."
Rishi drove to his aunt Laxmi's house, where he explained everything. Laxmi, ever the calm presence, helped him carry the unconscious girl inside.
"Call me if anything happens," Rishi told his aunt, before heading home.
By morning, Niharika - the girl - had developed a high fever. Laxmi tried to reach Rishi all night, but his phone had been on silent. "I'm sorry," Rishi said, seeing her missed calls, "I didn't realize."
He rushed out to get medicine, while Laxmi warmed milk in the kitchen. Suddenly, she heard a cry from the guest room. She ran in to find Niharika sitting up, confused and scared.
"Where am I? What happened?" she asked, panic in her eyes.
Laxmi sat beside her. "You fainted, beta. Do you remember anything from last night?"
"A little... goons were chasing me," she whispered.
"It's okay now. You're safe," Laxmi reassured her. "Rishi brought you here."
"Rishi...?" Niharika repeated softly.
Laxmi smiled. "He's not my son by blood... but he's the son of my heart. His father and my husband were best friends."
She paused, her voice softening. "We lost everyone in an accident years ago, my husband, my real son, and Rishi's parents. Since then, he's been my only family."
Niharika's eyes widened with sympathy. "I'm sorry, ma'am.... I didn't know."
"No need to be sorry, beta. It's fate. Now tell me about you."
"My name is Niharika Sharma. I came here looking for a job. I got late last night... and those men.... I didn't know what to do. Then Rishi saved me."
Laxmi looked thoughtful. "So you're job hunting... and Rishi is looking for a PA. How about working for him?"
Niharika hesitated. "But what if he doesn't want me in the office?"
Laxmi waved her hand. "He mentioned the vacancy himself. I'm sure it's fine."
Niharika nodded slowly. "Then... yes. I'll take it."
Just then, Rishi returned with the medicine. He handed it over without a word and glanced at Niharika. She gave a polite nod before retreating to her room.
Laxmi watched him closely. "You're not going to ask how she is?"
"I already know. You've got it under control."
Laxmi chuckled, then added, "By the way, her name's Niharika."
Rishi blinked, "What?"
"Niharika Sharma," she repeated.
Something flickered across Rishi's face - confusion, maybe even surprise.
Then Laxmi casually mentioned the job. "She needs work. You need help."
Rishi thought for a moment. "Tell her she can come by tomorrow. We'll see how she does."
Later, Laxmi passed along the message. Niharika listened quietly and asked, "What's the name of the company?"
Laxmi smiled. "Niharika Group of Companies. Rishi is the co-founder."
The world seemed to still for a moment. Niharika's eyes widened. "What did you say?"
Laxmi repeated the name, unaware of the storm brewing in the girl's mind.
Niharika whispered, "How... is this a coincidence? Or is fate trying to tell me something?"
To be continued....