Two Brothers: Shadows of Deception

Chapter 36

Unveiling the Flames of Fierce Love: Vedant's Revelation

(Niharika)

I woke up early and got ready for the office. As I entered the kitchen, I found Nirmala, our maid, already busy preparing breakfast. I greeted her with a warm smile, and she reciprocated with one of her own. Sitting at the breakfast table, Nirmala served me upma and tea, taking care of me like a mother would. We engaged in a conversation, and I learned more about her life, her aspirations for her daughters, and the love she had for them. Her stories touched my heart, and I couldn't help but think about my own mother. If she were alive, would she be as caring and dedicated as Nirmala?

After breakfast, Raghu arrived, and I asked Nirmala to prepare dinner for the evening, ensuring that I had something to eat after a long day at the office. With a final goodbye, I made my way to the parking lot with Raghu, eager to beat the city's heavy traffic and arrive at the office on time.

By 9:00 am, we reached the office building, and I stepped into the elevator, heading for the 60th floor. I knocked on Siddharth's office door and entered upon receiving permission. There, I found Siddharth immersed in his work, and beside him stood a young girl, seemingly his assistant. She greeted me with a warm smile, which instantly made me feel at ease. I couldn't help but notice the similarities in their looks, suggesting that good looks ran in their family. I couldn't help but huff at the thought, remembering Aryan's arrogance. Siddharth looked up from his work, acknowledging my presence with a smile.

"Good morning, Niharika," he greeted me warmly. His humble demeanor was a pleasant contrast to his brother's arrogance. "So, are you ready to join?" he asked, his voice filled with genuine interest. I nodded in response, my eagerness evident.

"Good then. Priya here will guide you to the finance department," he said, gesturing towards the young girl beside him. "She will take you to Mr. Singh's office, who will provide you with further details about your job." I nodded, appreciating his guidance.

"Please come with me," Priya said with a warm smile, motioning for me to follow her. I reciprocated her smile and walked beside her. As we made our way out of Siddharth's office, she introduced herself, extending her hand for a handshake.

"Hi, Priyadarshini. Nice to meet you," I replied, shaking her hand. "I'm Niharika Varma, and I'm new here. I hope we can work well together."

Priya grinned, her cheerful energy contagious. "Of course, Niharika! We'll make a great team. And trust me, this place is nice to work at, except for dealing with my occasionally mean boss," she said playfully.

I looked at her, slightly surprised. "Mean boss? But he doesn't seem like one," I remarked, genuinely curious.

Priya let out a sarcastic chuckle. "Looks can be deceiving," she replied. Her lighthearted tone made me laugh, breaking the ice between us. It felt good to find someone with a sense of humor in this new environment.

She continued our conversation as we stepped into the elevator. "You mentioned you're new to the city, right? Well, I'm also a relatively recent arrival, just six months ago. If you're up for exploring the city, count me in!" Priya suggested with excitement.

I considered her offer, the idea of exploring with a new friend appealing to me. "That sounds like a great plan. Shall we go this weekend?" I proposed, eager to experience the city with someone who knew their way around.

Priya's eyes lit up with enthusiasm. "Absolutely! Give me your phone," she requested, gesturing for me to hand it over. I raised an eyebrow, feeling a mix of curiosity and hesitation. Sensing my hesitation, she let out a sigh and took my phone gently from my hand.