Written Between the Lines - Chapter 5

 

Chapter 5: A Storm in the Market… and in the Heart

The honeymoon phase of the business merger was short-lived.

A storm was brewing — not in their home, but in the market.

A foreign tech giant, Orion Corp, suddenly launched an aggressive expansion campaign, targeting Mehra-Singhania’s key clients. The board was shaken. Stocks dipped. Rumors flooded the media.

Aditya called an emergency meeting. Calm and composed outside, but inside — burning with pressure.

Aditi entered the boardroom with a folder in hand. Aditya glanced at her, skeptical.

“This isn’t the time for CSR or social good, Aditi,” he said.

“It’s not,” she replied, sliding the file to him. “It’s time for smart strategy. I did my homework. Orion’s lead investor is vulnerable — he’s in talks with a green-tech firm your father once partnered with.”

Aditya blinked.

He skimmed the file. Detailed. Calculated. Brilliant.

For the first time, he looked at her not as a formality — but as a force.

“You prepared all this… alone?”

“No,” she smiled faintly. “With you in mind.”

He didn’t reply, but something softened in his gaze.

Back at Home

They sat that evening on the balcony — the skyline of Mumbai glowing before them.

The deal went through. Their stock rose again. The board congratulated them both.

“You saved us today,” Aditya said, breaking their quiet.

“We saved us,” Aditi corrected.

There was a pause. Then she asked:

“Do you regret marrying me?”

He looked at her. Slowly shook his head.

“I regret not knowing you earlier.”

For a moment, everything stilled. The city noise faded. Their hearts raced.

“Aditya…” she whispered, unsure.

But he stood, too careful, too guarded.

“We should sleep. Big day tomorrow.”

He walked away.

And Aditi sat alone — unsure whether her heart should feel warm or wounded.

The Next Day – A Turning Point

At a press conference, Aditya and Aditi appeared hand-in-hand for the first time — not as actors, but as something close to real.

Reporters noticed the change.

“Mr. Mehra, you two seem closer than before. Is love finally blooming in this business marriage?”

Aditya smirked slightly. Then said:

“Let’s just say… our merger is more than just on paper now.”

Aditi turned to him, shocked — but smiling.

For the first time, she saw the man behind the suit… and maybe, just maybe, he was beginning to see her too.

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