Aarvi’s POV

I yawned, stretching my arms under the soft morning light slipping through my curtains. I checked the time on my clock settled on the side table showing 7:30, and I got relaxed knowing I have a lot of time left. Meanwhile the aroma of the fresh parathas and masala chai from the kitchen, makes my stomach rumble.

“Beta, breakfast is getting cold. Come fast downstairs!” Mom called.

“Coming, Maa!” I replied, getting up from my bed. I go to the washroom to do my morning things and get ready within 30 minutes, yeah in spite of being a girl I can get ready in under minimal time. By the time I reach the dining table my whole family is present there, my father was already sipping his tea, glancing at my mother who is coming through the kitchen door.

My parents are the role model couple for me, they married each other after fall in love in college, there were many complications between the families but still they stood together, although it makes me sad sometime that my mom’s parents still haven’t accepted this marriage while Dadda’s parents accepted it after my older brother’s birth. It’s been almost 28 years of their marriage and still their love is growing. While my protective elder brother is scrolling through his phone, barely doing any typical CEO thing.

“Stop daydreaming aaru; college won’t wait for you.” My brother’s voice takes my whole attention.

“I am not daydreaming bhai, just savoring my breakfast after all Mumma has made my favorite parathas.”

By 8:30, I was dressed in my casual college outfit, a black color crop top and a light blue trouser, hair in a messy bun and a sketchbook tucked under my arm. Bhai is already near the car ready to drop me at my college on the first day as a Master of Arts Student. I hesitate near the car, my fingers brushing my palm nervously.

“aaru, what happened?” Bhai asked.

I forced a nervous smile. “Nothing……I just…. I don't like long rides… you know!”

“Oh, it’s just your motion sickness.” He said, like he is reading my mind. Don’t worry bub, it’ll pass.”

He gave me a pointed look indicating the passenger seat, silent but protective. I slide into the seat, calming the sudden tightness in my chest. Cars always make me a little…. Uneasy, even though I didn’t know the reason. But I am sure it’s not because of my motion sickness, neither do I have one.

By the time we reached college, the campus buzzed with students chatting, laughing, and carrying their sketchbook and canvas bags. I hugged my brother saying bye and then joined my trio group- me, Aakriti and Vihaan. We three have been together since 9th std.

Classes, projects and some activities filled my day. Even though my life was pampered and comfortable, somewhere deep inside, a quiet part of me longed for something more- a story of my own, beyond the paints and familiar faces.

Reyansh's POV

The Malhotra residence was alive with its usual morning chaos. Sunlight spilled across the polished floors as I moved from the staircase toward the dining area, already mentally rehearsing the meetings ahead. I am not a workaholic. I just love to do the work or maybe just to escape reality.

“Rey, don’t you dare to leave without breakfast!” my mother shouted from the kitchen. She is always bustling, a constant force of warmth and keeping the household running smoothly.

“Yes mom, I’ll have my breakfast” I replied, knowing she won’t let me leave without it.

While I do my breakfast Diya, the younger twin darted towards me, tugging at my sleeve she exclaimed happily taking my attention. “Bhai, look what I made in art class!”

“Very nice, kiddo” I replied, glancing at the paper she shoved at me. Just then the other twin Arjun, elbowed her playfully.

“You always want attention. Don’t you?” he complained.

“I don’t, it’s you who always wants attention.” She shot back.

I sighed, rubbing the bridge of my nose. The twins are adorable, loud and chaotic, and I am still learning to tolerate them in small doses. My aunty appeared, shooting them off to get ready for college.

My younger brother muttered something under his breath as he passed through me, taking the right chair beside me. My uncle moved between the living room and dining area, checking on the twins. His easy smile and warm voice filled the space, a presence I always respect, though I don’t feel as connected to him as others do.

And finally, my father, Vikram Malhotra, sat at the other head chair of the dining table. We rarely spoke at length.

Just then Kiaan Verma, my best friend, appeared at the doorway. “Rey! You know what happened?”

“Not now, Kiaan. I’m busy, and why are you here in the morning?” I snapped, though it was playful. I well know the reason and his energy was impossible to ignore.

“Relax, Rey baby. Maa called me saying she is making my favorite aloo paratha, so here I am. Well... you know she always spoils me more than my own dad does.”

Maa comes out of the kitchen and Kiaan notices and he pulls her into a gentle hug saying “Good morning, maa.”

“Good morning my son, Dekho maine tumhara favorite aloo paratha banaya hain, chalo main tumhe apne haathon se khilati hun.” Maa said and Kiaan followed her like a baby.

I watched them, a small tug in my chest I didn’t let show. Kiaan had lost his mother in an accident when he was two-year-old, and maa has been a second mother to him. Since 3rd std we have become friends. That closeness, the way he called her maa, and treating all my siblings as his own, made him part of our family.

Just then Mr. Malhotra’s voice broke in: “Reyansh, today is the most important meeting for our company and you have to make sure that we got the deal not the Sharma’s.” I nodded absentmindedly while he spit venom.

Here comes the rivalry which runs deep down in my father’s blood, he always wants to have the upper hand in the business and especially if there is Vidyut Sharma on the opposite side. He thinks that I don’t know the reason behind this rivalry, but I know everything…. everything.

Third person's POV

They both are living their life in their own world but tonight their world is going to clash with each other because today is the day of the award ceremony called “Businessman of the year”. And the nominees are Reyansh Malhotra for Malhotra Industries, Kiaan Verma for Sandhya Empire and Aayansh Sharma for Aarvi Construction as well as Viren Awasthi for VI Creation.

Now the question is who will become the businessman of the year?