After so long without seeing Abhinav, Aaradhya honestly longed for him a little. She couldn’t rest at ease. She didn’t know where this worry had come from. Logically speaking, Abhinav wasn’t someone she needed to worry about. Nobody in the company dared to offend him. Arjun was also by his side. Everything about this situation was safe.

But recently, Aaradhya often felt like something was amiss. Something tugged at her heartstrings anxiously. The two of them were basically in the honeymoon phase of their relationship.  Abhinav was always in her mind, mainly because she hadn’t seen the other in a long time. At the end of the day, she really missed him.

Aaradhya dials Arjun's number and waits for him to pick up.

Aaradhya: Hey, Arjun. I hope you're not too busy right now.

Arjun: (Warmly) Hey sis in law, not at all. What's up? Everything okay?

Aaradhya: (Sighs) Well, Abhinav seems to be incredibly busy lately, and I'm a bit worried. Is everything okay at company?

Arjun: Yeah, we're launching a new product line, and have been working around the clock to meet the deadlines. It's something innovative that's been in the works for a while now, so it's been crazy busy lately. Abhi has been pouring all his energy into that venture.

Aaradhya: (Intrigued) That sounds exciting, I can understand how stressful it must be. But why is it causing such a hustle and bustle?

Arjun: The thing is, we’ve been getting orders left and right even before the official launch. It's a good problem to have, I guess, but it's putting so much pressure on the team.

Aaradhya: (Nods) High demand can definitely be challenging to handle, especially if we weren't fully prepared for it.

Arjun: And to make matters worse, this new product line has some complex technology involved, and we're facing unexpected technical glitches. These issues have set back our production schedule, and we're racing against time to sort them out.

Aaradhya: (Concern deepens) Technical glitches? That's not something you want when you're already swamped with orders. Did you guys found what caused these glitches?

Arjun: It's related to the software that controls the production line. We're trying to resolve it as quickly as possible, but it's causing delays and stress among the team members.

Aaradhya: Ugh, that's tough. How is Abhinav handling it?

Arjun: He's pretty stressed, to be honest. He's working closely with the tech team to get things back on track, but it's taking a toll on him and the entire company.

Aaradhya: (Sighs) I can imagine.

Arjun: On top of all this, there's a crucial shareholders' meeting coming up. It's a routine meeting, but given the current situation, Abhi needs to address the challenges we're facing and reassure the shareholders that they're on top of things.

Aaradhya: (Worried) Oh no, that sounds like a lot of pressure. How can he convince them when we're dealing with so many problems?

Arjun: (Reassuringly) I'm sure we'll handle it well. It's not uncommon for companies to face hurdles, and shareholders understand that. The key is to have a solid plan to address the issues and communicate that effectively.

Aaradhya: (Sighs in relief) Thanks, Arjun. I just needed someone to talk to about all this. Your advice always helps me calm down.

Arjun: (Smiles) That's what family is for, right? Just enjoy your vacation sis in law, we are all waiting for your return.

Aaradhya: I will. Thanks, Arjun. Just remind Abhi that he's not alone in this and that we're there to support him through thick and thin and take care of him.

Arjun: (Smiles) I will definitely, sis in law. Take care.

Aaradhya and her team’s adventure continued as they embarked on a thrilling whitewater rafting expedition. Kayaking down a tranquil river brought a sense of calm. The rhythmic paddling was accompanied by shared jokes and observations about the stunning scenery. Aaradhya's competitive spirit led to friendly races, while Ramya's steady paddling kept the group on course.

Next on their list was a daring rock climbing experience. Aaradhya and her friends donned safety gear and began their ascent on the rugged cliffs. The sheer height and jagged edges tested their physical strength and mental resilience. With each step, they pushed themselves beyond their limits, conquering their fears and embracing the thrill of the climb. At the summit, they were rewarded with a breathtaking view of the surrounding landscapes—a panorama of majestic mountains and vast expanses of greenery.

Camping under the stars provided a serene contrast to their high-adrenaline activities. As they gathered around the campfire, they shared their dreams and aspirations. The clear night sky was a canvas of stars, and they marvelled at the beauty of the universe, their conversations turning towards love.

“Guys, there’s something I need to tell you,” Keerthi began.

Swetha grinned, nudging Keerthi playfully. “Spill the beans, who’s the lucky guy?”

Keerthi took a deep breath, a shy smile playing on her lips. “Well, there’s someone I’ve been thinking about lately,” she confessed.

Ramya. Always the inquisitive one, couldn’t resist jumping in. “Details, Keerthi! What’s he like? Where did you meet him?”

“What does he do? When did all these started?” Aaradya added.

“We only meet once by accident, and he works in police department,” Keerthi replied, “and I don’t know much about him” she added.

Aaradhya chimed in, worriedly, “How can you ..without knowing anything?”

“I might have just met him at that moment... I might not know much about him, it might be just attraction at that moment, but sometimes you have to trust your instincts nah. When it makes your heart blush and your eyes shine, it must be adding something to your life. Despite the strong excitement, the feeling seems worthy of another chance Aadhya.

I thought about asking him out. It might be considered too quick, but it can't be too late either. However, I reached the destination before I can say anything. At that moment I felt how Einstein said that time is relative, but in my case the parameter isn't speed, it's the person I’m with. They make even hours feel like seconds, yet make every second eternal.

Our lives are defined by many moments, not in days or weeks, but in fleeting seconds, like accidents. And yeah not all accidents lead us to the ICU; some even lead us to ‘I love you’ like mine,” replied Keerthi with a warm smile.

“If I’m not mistaken, are you talking about Aadhi Annayya?” Aaradhya questioned with certainty which earned her a nod from Keerthi.

Swetha and Ramya leaned in, “Now who’s that Aadhi, you both can’t keep us in suspense!”.

Aaradhya nudged them gently, “Well, that’s Abhinav’s buddy.”

Swetha asked with a mischievous grin, “So, when are you planning to let him know?”

Keerthi looked her friends, a bit confused. “Why should I let him know? Liking someone is my own business. What does it have anything to do with him?”

Swetha chimed in, “You silly, is this what they say’s falling in love effects IQ. It’s not just about involving him, sometimes people need to know they are liked, appreciated.”

Ramya added, “Yeah, imagine if he’s into you too, but he’s waiting for a sign. You might be missing out on something great!”

Keerthi raised an eyebrow, “But what if he’s not interested and is bothered by it?”

Swetha shook her head. “Arey, you’ll never know until you try nah. And even if it doesn’t work out, at least you won’t have regrets about not expressing your feelings.”

Aaradhya, who had been quietly listening, interjected, “Why not create a chance to spend more time with him? Aren’t you applying for internship in game development companies, why don’t you apply to his company? I’ll talk with aunty.”

Keerthi’s eyes widened at the idea. “That’s a good plan. But what if it doesn’t work out?”

Aaradhya smiled reassuringly, “Well, at least you’ll have a new experience and maybe a chance to get to know him better. It’s worth a shot, don’t you think?”

Keerthi nodded, realizing that maybe taking a step towards her crush wouldn’t hurt. As her friends continued to share their thoughts and encouragement, Keerthi felt a mix of nervousness and excitement at the prospect of exploring her feelings and creating opportunities for a deeper connection with the person who had captured her heart.

The next day their underwater adventure began with scuba diving, revealing an underwater world of vibrant coral reefs and exotic marine life. Their excited chatter was muffled by their diving equipment, but their eyes spoke volumes as they pointed out fascinating creatures to each other. Aaradhya's fascination with marine life was contagious, while Swetha's awe was evident as she gestured to her friends to look at the incredible sights.

As their adventure trip progressed, they encountered a few hurdles along the way. They faced unexpected weather changes, with rain pouring down during their mountain hike. They quickly put on their rain gear and forged ahead, determined not to let the downpour dampen their spirits. They navigated through muddy trails and slippery slopes, supporting and encouraging each other as they conquered the adverse conditions.

During their vacation, they also explored remote caves, venturing into the depths of the earth. Equipped with headlamps and ropes, they crawled through narrow passages, discovering awe-inspiring rock formations and hidden chambers. It was an experience that heightened their sense of adventure and mystery.

12/11/2023

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See you all in the next update 💕

___To be continued 🥀