Chapter 14: Shadows of the Past

Arjun stood in the center of an opulent penthouse suite, the sound of distant traffic filtering in through the floor-to-ceiling windows. A glass of whiskey sat untouched in his hand as he stared blankly out at the city below. Behind him, a woman lounged on the plush sofa, her laughter soft and melodic.

"You're quiet." she said, her voice laced with curiosity.

Arjun turned slowly, his expression unreadable. The woman - Ananya - had the kind of beauty that turned heads, with striking features and a confident air. She had caught his attention at a corporate gala a week ago, her resemblance to Meera both haunting and magnetic.

"I was just thinking." Arjun replied, his tone distant.

Ananya tilted her head, studying him. "About work? Or something else?"

He smirked faintly, the kind of smirk that revealed nothing. "Does it matter?"

Ananya stood and crossed the room, placing a hand on his arm. "It does if you're still thinking about her."

Arjun's jaw tightened. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Come on, Arjun." she said, her tone light but probing. "You don't think I noticed? Every time you look at me, it's like you're seeing someone else."

Arjun's gaze darkened, and he pulled away. "You're overthinking."

Ananya sighed, crossing her arms. "Maybe. Or maybe you're just too afraid to admit that all this - " she gestured to the luxurious suite around them, " - none of it means anything without her."

Arjun's silence was telling. He didn't deny it.

"You should stop punishing yourself." Ananya added softly. "You're chasing shadows."

As she left, her heels clicking softly against the marble floor, Arjun felt the weight of her words settle on him. Chasing shadows - that's exactly what he was doing.

Meanwhile, in her modest apartment, Meera was in the middle of chaos. Aarini was crying in her high chair, flinging pieces of mashed banana across the table, while Meera scrambled to finish a presentation on her laptop.

"Okay, Aarini." Meera said, her voice strained but patient. "Mama just needs five more minutes, and then we'll play, I promise."

From the doorway, Raghav appeared, chuckling as he surveyed the scene. "Looks like a war zone in here."

Meera sighed, slumping into her chair. "Tell me about it. I don't know how people manage to balance work and kids. I'm barely keeping my head above water."

Raghav walked over and scooped Aarini into his arms, bouncing her gently until her cries turned into giggles. "You're doing great, Meera. Don't be so hard on yourself."

She gave him a tired smile. "It doesn't feel like it. Every day feels like a race I'm losing."

Raghav kissed the top of her head. "You're not losing. You're raising a beautiful daughter, and you're building a career. That's more than most people can handle."

Meera leaned into his touch, the warmth of his support easing her stress. "Thank you. I don't say it enough, but… I couldn't do this without you."

"You don't have to." Raghav said simply. "We're in this together."

Later that evening, after Aarini was asleep, Meera sat on the balcony with a cup of tea, her thoughts drifting to the past. She remembered the days when her biggest worry was proving her worth at work, the days when Arjun's piercing gaze had both intimidated and thrilled her.

"Stop it." she whispered to herself, shaking her head. "That's over. This is your life now, and it's a good one."

She glanced back at the living room, where Raghav was folding laundry while watching a cricket match. A small smile tugged at her lips. He was kind, patient, and devoted - everything she could ask for in a partner.

But as much as she tried to bury the memories, they had a way of creeping back, uninvited.

At Malhotra Enterprises, Arjun sat in his office long past midnight, staring at a photo of himself and Meera from years ago. It was taken at an office retreat, back when she had been part of his life in a way no one else ever had.

He traced her face in the photo with his finger, his chest tightening.

"Why can't I let you go?" he murmured.

His phone buzzed, breaking the silence. It was Raj.

"Sir, you have the Singapore investors flying in tomorrow. Should I reschedule your morning meeting?"

"No." Arjun said curtly. "Keep everything as planned."

"Understood, sir."

As the call ended, Arjun leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes. He was a man who had everything—wealth, power, influence. But the one thing he truly wanted was the one thing he couldn't have.

And no matter how hard he tried to fill the void, it only grew deeper.

.

To be continue...