Hey, Petals!🌸

Welcome to Chapter 2 of

Bound by Misunderstanding. 📚

A new day begins, bringing new dreams, new challenges, and a celebration that will change more than anyone expects.

Happy reading! 💘

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Malhotra Mansion

After freshening up, everyone gathered for dinner.

Much to Rudraksh's relief, he and Kunal finally managed to convince Dadi to give him one more month to make up his mind about marriage. However, Dadi was adamant that after one month, she wouldn't listen to a single excuse.

In fact, she had already spoken to the parents of a few prospective brides, all of whom were more than happy at the thought of an alliance with the Malhotra family.

**********

Verma House

The Next Day...

Sunday mornings were Ahanshi's favourite.

With a book in her hand and a cup of coffee beside her, she sat peacefully in the garden, completely immersed in the pages.

Her phone suddenly buzzed.

Placing the book aside, she unlocked her phone and opened her class's unofficial WhatsApp group. The group was flooded with messages. Everyone was discussing the upcoming Inter-College fest.

A message from the Class Representative caught her attention.

Northspire University proudly presents 'Aarohan '26' - The Annual Cultural & Academic Fest. Registrations are now open!

The CR was asking interested students to submit their names for various competitions. Ahanshi quietly read through the list of events. At the same time, Sakshi walked into the garden and sat beside her.

Sakshi spoke while glancing at her phone, "So... you're participating, right?"

Ahanshi nodded slightly. "I'm thinking of participating in the Poetry Recitation."

"That's good." Sakshi smiled confidently. "I'll be participating in the Debate Competition." She leaned back proudly before adding, "Actually, I'm going to win it."

Ahanshi tried to suppress her smile. Under her breath, she muttered, "Yeah... you don't need practice for that."

Sakshi immediately looked at her. "I heard that."

Ahanshi innocently grinned. "Hehe."

*****

Malhotra & Associates Global

As soon as Rudraksh entered his cabin, Shivam Mehra followed him inside carrying a tablet and a few files."Good morning, Sir."

Rudraksh acknowledged him with a nod. "What's the update, Mehra?"

Shivam immediately began. "Sir, the Board meeting has been rescheduled to 12:30, as Kunal Sir is currently at Arora Global Holdings for a meeting with the Singhania Group. The GlobalTech Consortium project has been shortlisted, and the client has requested the final meeting by Wednesday."

Rudraksh nodded. "Anything else?"

"Sir, there has been a two percent deviation in the projected revenue."

"Reason?"

"The finance team is still analysing it."

His voice remained calm, "Don't analyse it. Fix it. I want the revised report on my desk before 5 p.m. Understood?"

"Yes, Sir."

Shivam began once again, "Sir, Northspire University has officially announced Aarohan '26'. The sponsor meeting has been scheduled for tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?"

"Yes, Sir. Since you're on the Board of Trustees, they expect your presence. They'll be discussing the sponsorship, event budget, and the inauguration."

"Okay. Leave."

Shivam gave a slight nod before leaving the cabin.

•••••••••

Two hours later...

Kunal entered carrying a file. He had just returned from a meeting with the Singhania Group.

Rudraksh looked up from the documents in front of him. "How did the meeting go?"

Kunal dropped into the chair opposite him and let out a small sigh."The Singhania Group has asked for a revision in the investment proposal."

Rudraksh frowned slightly. "What changed?"

"They want a higher profit-sharing percentage."

Rudraksh leaned back in his chair, studying Kunal for a moment. "Does the revised structure make sense for AGH?"

"Not really." Kunal shook his head. "I ran the numbers twice. The revised terms wouldn't be beneficial for us."

Rudraksh nodded thoughtfully. "Then there's your answer."

Kunal gave a small nod. "That's what I thought too. So I rejected their request."

Rudraksh glanced at him. "Any room for negotiation?"

"Only if they come back with a more reasonable proposal."

A faint smirk appeared on Rudraksh's face. "Good call."

"I was hoping you'd say that."

Rudraksh raised an eyebrow. "You didn't need my approval."

"I know." Kunal chuckled. "I just wanted a second opinion."

Rudraksh shook his head with a faint smile before returning his attention to the documents. "Then consider your second opinion given."

Kunal smiled. "Noted."

Rudraksh glanced at the clock. "The Board meeting is starting in a little while."

Kunal immediately groaned.

"Seriously? You bastard... how many meetings are you planning to make me attend today?"

Rudraksh looked at him calmly. "The Board meeting had to be rescheduled because you were at the Singhania meeting."

"I know." Kunal sighed. "But I've been in meetings since morning. One meeting after another."

Rudraksh rolled his eyes. "Stop complaining."

"I'm not complaining. I'm stating facts."

Kunal reached towards the intercom and pressed the button.

A few seconds later, a staff member entered. "Yes, Sir?"

"One strong coffee."

He paused and looked towards Rudraksh. "You want one?"

Rudraksh shook his head. "No."

Kunal raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure?"

"Hmm."

Kunal simply turned towards the staff member. "Fine. Make one extra strong for me. Exactly my style."

The staff member nodded. "Yes, Sir."

He turned and left.

Rudraksh narrowed his eyes. "Saale... how much coffee do you drink in a day?"

Kunal looked at him, genuinely offended. "Don't question my coffee intake, Mr. Malhotra."

Rudraksh raised an eyebrow. "You've had enough coffee to keep an entire office awake, Mr. Arora. "

Kunal placed a hand over his heart dramatically. "Coffee is an emotion."

Rudraksh stared at him for a moment. "You're hopeless."

Kunal smiled proudly. "I know."

After a brief pause, Rudraksh added, "I'll be visiting the university tomorrow for the Aarohan '26 sponsor meeting."

"Shikha's classes end around the same time. I'll pick her up on my way back."

Kunal smiled, "She'll be happy. She keeps complaining that you never have time for her."

A faint smile appeared on Rudraksh's face.

•==•==•==•

The rest of the day passed as usual.

Files.

Meetings.

Client calls.

Deadlines.

By the time Rudraksh finally looked at the clock, it was already eight in the evening. He pressed the intercom. "Mehra, come to my cabin."

Within moments, Shivam entered. "Yes, Sir?"

"What's on my schedule for tomorrow?"

Shivam quickly checked the schedule on his tablet. "You have two meetings here in the morning, Sir, both of which should be over before your meeting at Northspire University. You also have a few meetings scheduled for the afternoon."

Rudraksh nodded. "Fine. I'll attend the morning meetings and leave for the university afterward. I'll come back and attend the remaining meetings in the afternoon."

"Certainly, Sir."

"Keep the schedule accordingly. And don't add anything else for tomorrow. It's already packed."

"Understood, Sir. I'll make the necessary adjustments."

"Alright. It's getting late. You can leave now."

"Thank you, Sir."

With a respectful nod, Shivam left.

A few minutes later, Rudraksh walked into Kunal's cabin. He glanced at the clock before smiling, "Looks like we're finally done for the day."

Kunal shut down his laptop."Yeah."

The two walked out of the office together. Once they reached the parking area, Kunal headed towards his car. "See you tomorrow."

"See you."

Within moments, Kunal drove away.

Soon after, Rudraksh's Rolls-Royce rolled out of the office premises.

Rudraksh settled into the back seat, loosening his tie slightly while the city lights blurred past the tinted windows. For the first time that day... There were no meetings to attend. No files waiting for his signature. No clients expecting decisions.

Only silence.

And, unfortunately...

Dadi's words. "Ek mahina."

He had somehow convinced her to postpone the marriage discussion for a month. But he knew her. The moment those thirty days ended, she'd bring up the same topic again.

Rudraksh closed his eyes.

Marriage.

The very thought exhausted him. It wasn't that he hated the idea. He simply didn't believe in it. Over the years, he had seen enough to understand how quickly people changed when money entered the picture.

Most relationships weren't built on trust or love anymore. They were built on status.

On convenience.

His thoughts drifted to Kunal. Five years had passed, yet he still couldn't forget what his best friend had gone through. The cheerful soul who once laughed without a care now smiled only because people expected him to. That brutal relationship had changed Kunal forever.

So, how could he ever trust that someone would choose Rudraksh...

And not the luxurious life that came with the name Malhotra?

And even if, by some miracle, he found someone who genuinely loved him... Would he ever be able to love her the way she deserved?

A bitter smile crossed his lips.

His life revolved around responsibilities.

His company.

His Princess.

There was hardly any space left for himself, let alone another person. He didn't want someone to spend a lifetime waiting for affection he wasn't sure he could give.

No one deserved that. Certainly not the woman who would one day become his wife.

With a quiet sigh, Rudraksh turned his gaze towards the window.

Outside, the city continued to glow beneath the evening lights.

Inside the car...

His thoughts remained far darker.

Tomorrow would be just another university meeting for Rudraksh...

For Ahanshi, it would be another ordinary college day.

Neither of them knew their worlds were only hours away from colliding.

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