The Billionaire's Scholar

Chapter Four: Unpleasant Encounter

Anu's Pov

Anu carefully folded the pleats of her sister's sari, her fingers deftly maneuvering the fabric into place. Just as she was about to secure the pallu, her phone rang, startling her from her task. Glancing at the caller ID, she saw it was her mother calling from the kitchen. With a silent nod to Annanya, she answered the call and listened to her mother's instructions.

"Bring Annanya downstairs. They're waiting for her," her mother said urgently.

Suppressing a sigh, Anu gently took her sister's arm and guided her towards the drawing room. She could feel the tension in Annanya's body, the weight of expectation bearing down on her with each step. Leaning in close, Anu whispered words of reassurance, promising to stand by her side no matter what.

Entering the drawing room, Anu's eyes quickly took in the scene before her. Two elderly couples sat stiffly on the couch, their expressions a mix of curiosity and formality. Her parents sat opposite them, wearing forced smiles that did little to conceal their apprehension. Two young men, presumably the suitors, sat opposite her parents, their attire and demeanor blending seamlessly into the conservative decor of the room.

Her father's voice broke the awkward silence, introducing Annanya to Arnav and vice versa. Anu watched as her sister exchanged polite pleasantries with the young man, her smile tight and her movements stiff. It was clear to Anu that Annanya was not comfortable in this situation, and she silently vowed to support her in whatever decision she made.

When her mother suggested that Annanya and Arnav go for a walk in the garden, Anu's protective instincts kicked in. She opened her mouth to protest, but her mother quickly dismissed her concerns with a laugh, insisting it was just a joke. Anu's eyes darted to Raghav, Arnav's younger brother, who was staring at her with an intensity that made her skin crawl.

Feeling a sudden wave of discomfort, Anu excused herself and hurried upstairs to her room. Once inside, she leaned against the door, trying to steady her racing heart. The weight of her family's expectations hung heavy in the air, and Anu couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't right. She resolved to keep a close eye on her sister and make sure she wasn't pressured into anything she didn't want.

After five minutes, she quietly descended the stairs, her footsteps light against the wooden planks. As she entered the dining room, the scene unfolded before her eyes—the whole family gathered around the table, her sister and mother busy serving food. Anu settled herself beside her father, feeling the weight of Raghav's intense gaze from across the table.

Raghav broke the silence, his voice slicing through the air like a knife. "So Anu, what are your future plans?" Anu muttered under her breath, a hint of sarcasm tainting her words, "Escaping from here." Her father cleared his throat, catching her slip, as she hastily corrected herself, "Nothing much, just preparing for my entrance exams."

As the conversation lingered, Anu pushed around her food, feeling the weight of each roti in her hand. Her sister and mother began eating, their movements fluid and practiced. "That's nice, Anu. I can help you with your studies if you want," Raghav offered, a falsely friendly tone in his voice. Anu hesitated, wanting to refuse, but her father beat her to it, accepting the offer with a smirk.

Suppressing her frustration, Anu pushed back her chair, signaling her departure from the table. With a curt nod to her family, she excused herself and retreated to her room. Exhaustion washed over her, and she quickly changed into her pajamas, seeking solace in the comfort of her bed after a long and trying day.

Aditya's Pov

As I settled into my office, the familiar surroundings enveloped me in a sense of authority and control. The respectful gazes of my employees as I walked through the corridors only served to reinforce my position at the helm of the company. "Bring coffee to my table," I instructed the lady beside me, accustomed to having my needs attended to promptly. She nodded and went on her way as I entered my private lift, a sanctuary reserved only for myself, my bodyguard, and my secretary.

Inside the lift, my secretary broke the silence with a reminder about an appointment scheduled for the evening. "Vanguard University has been emailing you for a month, requesting an appointment for today," he informed me. I made a snap decision. "Shift it to tomorrow morning," I commanded, my mind already occupied with the tasks at hand.

As I stepped into my cabin, I felt the weight of responsibility settle on my shoulders. "What was it about again?" I asked my secretary, my thoughts momentarily drifting. He dutifully reminded me, explaining that Vanguard University sought my expertise to teach and conduct weekly classes for their exclusive Masters program in business and economics.

The mention of Vanguard University stirred memories of my parents. My father, a final year student, had met my mother, a freshman, on the campus. Their love story was etched in the history of the university, a testament to the enduring power of fate and love.

"I'll think about it," I responded to my secretary's update, the memories of my parents adding a layer of significance to the decision. "Remind me around 4 PM, and I'll give you my final decision. You can go," I dismissed him, turning my attention back to my emails as the day's responsibilities beckoned.

Just then, the bell at the entrance to my cabin chimed, signaling the arrival of my coffee. I gestured for the person to enter, my mind already consumed with the tasks that lay ahead.

As the afternoon progressed, I found myself engrossed in a series of consecutive meetings, barely finding a moment's respite in my cabin. Around 2 PM, just as I began to relax, my intercom buzzed, disrupting the tranquility of my solitude. "Yes?" I answered promptly, expecting another urgent matter to attend to.

My secretary's voice came through the speaker, informing me of Navya's unexpected visit. "Navya, Ma'am has come to visit you," she conveyed.

Navya, my sister, rarely made appearances at my office, so her sudden arrival piqued my curiosity. "Let her come," I replied, anticipating her motives.

She entered my cabin unannounced, questioning the need for permission to enter. "Bhai, why do I need permission to enter your cabin?" she questioned.

"Navya, because it's my office and I have kept the same rules for everyone," I responded calmly, maintaining order in my workspace.

Undeterred, she sat before me, offering me lunch without any ulterior motives—or so she claimed. "Well, what do you want?" I inquired, slightly amused by her unexpected gesture.

To my surprise, she insisted that she wanted nothing in return, flashing a smile that hinted at mischief. However, her true intentions soon came to light as she revealed her desire to travel to Turkey with her friends for two weeks.

Knowing my protective nature towards her, I swiftly denied her request, concerned about her safety and well-being. "No," I stated firmly, refusing to entertain the idea.

Despite my refusal, Navya persisted, attempting to sway my decision with her persuasive tactics. "Bhai, please," she implored, hoping to change my mind.

Frustrated by her insistence, I firmly reiterated my stance, refusing to yield to her pleas. In a fit of anger, she lashed out, expressing her disdain before storming out of the room, leaving me to ponder the encounter.

After regaining my composure, I proceeded to enjoy the lunch she had brought before me, contemplating the complexities of sibling dynamics. By the time 4 PM rolled around, I instructed my secretary to draft an email accepting the offer from Vanguard University, scheduling a meeting for the following day to finalize the agreement.