Ishika and Prisha are at the office of ChicLuxe Studios. They have a one-on-one conversation with the CEO, Sonali Mukherji. Since the lady has other meetings, she asks them to wait in the waiting lounge and also asks them to have something in the cafeteria that's on the first floor near the reception hall. Prisha and Ishika decide to wait in the waiting lounge, where they're served coffee, which they can't deny.

The two girls are ecstatic. Both of them hope to get a deal with Chicluxe Studios. But they also don't want the other to feel disheartened. Prisha glances at her friend, trying to know her thoughts.

"Ishu, are you alright?" Prisha asks.

"Yeah, I am just wondering who will get this deal. I think there are other people as well." Ishika exclaims.

"Yeah, but don't get disheartened. We will get bigger opportunities." Prisha says.

"Thik kaha tumne, Pri. Par yahan tak aaye hain toh kuch result hona chahiye na haath pe." She says this, trying to convey her feelings.

"I agree. Ab ye toh Ms. Sonali par depend karta hai." Ishika replies.

Meanwhile, the peon comes by their side and tells them that Sonali is calling them into her chamber. Ishika nods and shares a glance with Prisha. The latter holds the former's hand and they walk into the CEO's cabin. Sonali beams at them and asks them to take their seats.

"Prisha, Ishika, I am glad to have you two over here. So, I have some news for both of you, and I hope that you two will listen to it with the utmost care and won't be distressed about the same." Sonali looks at them with a smile.

"Please go ahead, Sonali. I know it's an important decision for your company and for ours as well. If any one of us gets the deal, it will only help our growth. And we are professional enough to let it slide. Yeah, there could be momentary sadness, but it won't stop us from working hard." Ishika replies confidently and Sonali smiles.

"And what if I say that we want to work with both of you, then? Would you two like to work together?" She glances at them.

"Really? Both of us?" Prisha looks at her wide-eyed and Sonali smiles, nodding positively.

"Yes, Prisha. I love your style of working, and I am in awe of your modern designs. I think you'd make a good collection for people who have an English taste in dressing. And Ishika is pro-Indian ethnic and modern designs. I've found that her Indian designs are created with the utmost passion. And I want a mix of both in my next project. So, what do you think?" Sonali says, explaining her demand to them.

Prisha and Ishika share a glance; these two have a different taste in their work. But they respect each other and their crafts too.

"This is the best thing ever, Ms. Sonali. We are glad to have this opportunity. In this way, we'll learn about the crafts that we hold.

"I agree with Ishika. Because of our different thoughts, ideas, and tastes, we could never come together. But you've given this chance to us. Thank you, Ms. Sonali. We are grateful." Prisha replies happily.

"Yeah, thank you. So, when do we start work?" Ishika asks while looking at Sonali.

"Umm, let's finalise the deal tomorrow, and we can start work the next week. Is that okay with you and Prisha?" Sonal asks and Prisha agrees with the proposal.

They thank Sonali and leave her cabin. As soon as they exit the building, they share a tight hug, congratulating each other for the deal that they both have been manifesting. They decide to meet each other again and then decide on their further plans for the new project.

Soon, they part ways, and Ishika pulls out her phone and says she's about to call Naman, but then pauses. All those bittersweet conversations flash in her mind and a tear escapes her eyes. She hops in the car and drives back home.

******

Naman is thoughtful when his mother's doctor asks him to take care of her and he also knows that he must share all his problems with her. He meets his mother and asks her to eat; though, the lady is not willing to eat.

"Maa, abhi tum puri tarah se thik nahi hui hai. Please ye soup pi lo." Naman requests.

"Beta, mera mann nahi hai." His mother replies weakly.

"Maa, kuch baaton ke liye toh mera bhi mann nahi hai, aur na kabhi hoga, phir bhi tumne wahi sab baatein karke apni tabiyat khud bigaad li hai." He says it thoughtfully.

" Tu kya kehna chahta hai?" She asks.

"Wahi, jo shaayad aap samajh rahi hai lekin accept nahi kar pa rahi hai. Khair, abhi aapko taakat ki zaroorat hai, abhi aap soup pi lijiye. Shaam ke iiye main bhabhi se kahunga aapke liye dinner le aaye." Naman says this and then feeds her the soup.

The old lady silently drinks the soup that her son is offering. She can tell that her son is angry with her. He has said the truth. She is worried for Naman and Diya and it's the extra stress that caused her to suffer the heart attack. Maybe, because it's in her family, she wants to keep them together; in this way, Seher, the daughter of her elder son, Namit, would stay close to her. But yeah, Diya has assured her that she will always be around her and take care of her and Naman. She looks at her son, who now takes out the medicines and makes her eat them.

"Beta, tu mujhse naraaz hai?" She asks, gathering some courage.

"Kyun? Nahi hona chahiye kya? Jab aapse kaha tha ki aapko apna khud ka dhyan rakhna hai, toh vo toh aapse hua nahi, ab main naraaz bhi na houn aapse?" Naman glances back at his mother.

"Tu bhi toh kahan maan raha tha? Beta, mujhe chinta hai tumhari aur." She says but a feminine voice cuts them.

"Hum jaante hai, maa. Hum bhi aapki fikar karte hai aur aapse utna hi pyaar karte hain jitna aap humse karti ho. Lekin jaisa aap soch rahi hain, wo bhi galat hai." It's Diya and she explains her point calmly.

"Aur filhaal aap aaram kijiye. Naman, tumhe office jana hai na? Ye lo tumhari file, Sameer ghar aaya tha ye meeting ki file leke, keh raha tha tumhare sign chahiye. Main hi le aayi." Diya smiles at her brother-in-law.

"Thanks, bhabhi! You're a saviour. Ab main office jaata hoon, Dopahar ko Seher ko lete hue ghar aaunga, phir main hospital aa jaunga." He informs her and the lady nods.

As Naman leaves, his mother holds Diya's hand, making her sit on the stool beside her bed. As she initiates speaking, Diya expresses her thoughts, which leave the lady astounded.

To Be Continued.

What did Diya say?

Stay tuned.