In the quiet of the room, Inaara's eyes wandered around, a hint of anxiety lingering in them as the realization struck her.

There was no couch. No sofa. Only one bed-a large, luxurious bed, but still... just one.

Atharv noticed her expression as he moved toward the bed.

"What's the problem?" he asked, raising an eyebrow, his tone as usual, firm but laced with subtle curiosity.

Inaara hesitated, looking at him with a mix of uncertainty and discomfort.

"There's... there's no couch," she replied, casting another quick glance around. "Where will I sleep?"

Atharv took a quick survey of the room, as if he hadn't noticed this small detail before.

He exhaled, glancing back at her after a moment. "We could share the bed, if you're alright with it," he said, his voice neutral.

"It's big enough. Should be comfortable for both of us."

Inaara looked at him as though he had just spoken in a completely foreign language. Sharing the bed... with him?

Atharv noticed her expression and calmly continued,

"Look, it's late. I don't think the staff can bring another bed or couch now, and the bed is spacious."

He picked up his iPad again, signaling that he wasn't going to debate it further.

Inaara stared at the bed in silence, her thoughts racing. She couldn't sleep on the cold floor or in the balcony without freezing.

After a few seconds, she sighed, reminding herself that the bed was massive-practically big enough for five people.

It would be fine, she reasoned. It was just for a few nights, after all.

Without saying anything, she left the room, and Atharv watched her go, momentarily puzzled.

He waited, wondering where she'd gone, and after a few minutes, she returned, carrying an extra blanket.

She climbed onto the bed, laying out the blanket before creating a neat pillow barrier right down the middle of the bed.

Atharv watched her ritual of settling in, noticing how she even paused to murmur her soft prayers, her hands folded as she always did before sleeping.

She then wrapped herself completely in the extra blanket, curling up under its warmth.

He now understood why she'd brought the extra blanket; she was ensuring they didn't have to share even that.

Atharv smirked slightly to himself, noting the pillow wall she had built, a faint amusement flickering in his eyes.

Turning back to his work, he focused on his iPad for a while, occasionally glancing over at her.

Eventually, he put the iPad aside, ready for sleep.

When he turned, he noticed her completely bundled up, only a small part of her face peeking out from the heavy blanket.

Her cheeks were slightly puffed, her expression soft and innocent, her face snuggled into the fabric in such a way that she looked adorably childlike.

Despite himself, Atharv couldn't hold back a quiet chuckle at the sight.

As he settled down, lying on his side of the bed, a subtle fragrance filled the air-a soothing scent of sandalwood that calmed his senses.

He knew where it came from, though he didn't allow himself to linger on that thought.

Instead, he closed his eyes, allowing the tranquility of the scent to lull him into an unexpectedly deep sleep.

---

The next morning, Atharv was startled awake by the ring of the landline.

He sat up groggily, his hand reaching automatically for the phone.

"Sir, would you like breakfast delivered to your room now?" came the voice of his chef from the other side.

Atharv frowned, confused. "Yes... but why so early?" he asked, his voice still thick with sleep.

There was a pause. "It's 8:30, sir."

He froze, glancing at the clock, disbelief flickering in his eyes. 8:30 in the morning?

He rubbed his eyes and checked his phone, blinking hard at the screen. He'd slept for seven hours-something he hadn't done in years.

It was an impossibility, or at least, it had been until now.

He turned to look at Inaara, still curled up on her side of the bed, her breathing slow and steady, wrapped securely in her blanket.

His mind tried to rationalize it-No, it couldn't be because of her, he insisted. It was likely the soothing fragrance, he reasoned with himself.

Just the calming scent, nothing more.

Yet somewhere deep within him, he felt that quiet, unfamiliar pull-a feeling he quickly brushed aside as he got out of bed.

Ignoring the thought nagging at his heart, he convinced himself it was nothing but the scent.

Just a faint, fleeting fragrance lingering in the air.

After finishing his morning routine, Atharv emerged from the bathroom and gently nudged Inaara awake, letting her know breakfast was ready.

The meal passed quietly, both of them wrapped in their own thoughts.

When they'd finished, they prepared to explore the day's itinerary.

Their visit took them to some of the region's most picturesque spots, places filled with natural beauty and cultural charm.

For the PR team-and the carefully curated social media presence-they even posed for a few couple photos.

Atharv noticed how effortlessly she blended with the scenes around them, each shot looking authentic, almost serene.

Meanwhile, Inaara took the opportunity to buy some authentic local jewelry as gifts, selecting each piece with care, mentally noting each friend and family member she wanted to surprise.

Atharv observed her in silence, his gaze lingering a little longer than he intended.

She had always been guarded around him, carefully keeping her distance. It wasn't unexpected, of course-he'd set that boundary himself, a clear line that neither of them was meant to cross.

But something had subtly shifted. There was a quiet resilience to her now, a depth he hadn't quite seen before.

In her movements, in the way she listened, in the way her gaze seemed to truly see things-she possessed a kind of grace that felt more mature, more refined.

She wasn't like anyone he'd ever known. Most of the women in his world were captivated by the flash and glamor, content with surface-level distractions.

But Inaara was different. She seemed to drink in every detail, her curiosity untainted by any ulterior motives.

It was as if she saw beauty and meaning in things he would have overlooked entirely.

Throughout the event, he caught himself stealing glances, almost as if drawn by an invisible force.

Her simplicity, her innocence-it was strange, refreshing even, in his world of strategies and polished facades.

And while he wouldn't dare admit it, there was something oddly fascinating about her quiet presence, something he found himself unable to ignore.

As they continued their tour, Atharv's gaze drifted toward a young tribal girl, no older than 10 or 12, selling handmade bamboo baskets.

He noticed Inaara watching the girl too. Without hesitation, she approached, purchasing every basket the girl had.

As she handed over two 2000-rupee notes, the girl's face lit up with sheer delight.

Inaara then pulled out a packet of biscuits from her bag, offering it as a small treat.

The girl accepted with a wide smile, her joy untouched by the weariness of the world.

Inaara instructed David to load the baskets into the car, then walked back to Atharv.

He couldn't contain his curiosity any longer. "Why did you buy those baskets?" he asked, with slightly irritated. "It's not like you couldn't find better ones anywhere else."

Inaara looked up, her expression calm and resolute. "Maybe that little girl needs the money," she said softly.

"If not, she wouldn't be out here selling these baskets. Sometimes, we should support people like her. They work hard to make a living, to preserve their craft. Luxury items are bought every day, but these simple things carry a different value-they carry the weight of hard work, of pride."

Atharv raised an eyebrow, skeptical but intrigued. "If you wanted to help, you could've just given her some money."

Inaara's gaze met his, unwavering and wise. "Not everyone is like that, Atharv," she replied, her voice firm but gentle.

"These people-they aren't begging. They're working with dignity, earning their way with what they create. They don't want handouts; they want respect. Giving money without buying anything would have felt like charity, like pity. But when I bought those baskets, I was honoring that girl's effort, her self-respect. It may seem small, but gestures like this acknowledge their work."

She paused, her words resonating with a quiet truth.

"Besides, these baskets won't go to waste. I can incorporate them into my designs, use them as elements that remind us of simpler, truer things."

Atharv absorbed her words, feeling them settle beneath his skin, deeper than he'd expected.

She wasn't just kind; she was perceptive, seeing into the world in a way he rarely did.

And for the first time, he found himself wondering about the thoughts hidden behind her gentle, unassuming presence.

As the evening draped over their cottage, they settled into a quiet dinner.

Conversation was sparse, yet easy. When the guide mentioned a sunrise trek, Inaara's face lit up with excitement, but she quickly tempered her enthusiasm, assuming Atharv would decline.

Yet, to her surprise, he agreed. It was unexpected, but there was a softness in his tone-a hint of curiosity, perhaps-that made her heart feel a flicker of warmth.

-----

A

s the evening draped over their cottage, they settled into a quiet dinner. Conversation was sparse, yet easy.

When the guide mentioned a sunrise trek, Inaara's face lit up with excitement, but she quickly tempered her enthusiasm, assuming Atharv would decline.

Yet, to her surprise, he agreed. It was unexpected, but there was a softness in his tone-a hint of curiosity, perhaps-that made her heart feel a flicker of warmth.

Before dawn, they began the ascent, trekking through winding trails under a canopy of stars.

The silence of early morning wrapped around them, broken only by the occasional rustle of leaves underfoot and the murmur of distant wildlife.

Atharv, usually indifferent to nature, couldn't help but notice Inaara's face alight with wonder.

Her laughter was unguarded, echoing through the woods as they climbed higher.

She looked more alive here, amidst the simplicity of nature, than he had ever seen her.

When they finally reached the mountaintop, they sank down on a rock, catching their breath.

They were surrounded by an endless spread of mountains, bathed in pre-dawn hues of purple and blue.

Moments later, the sun began its slow rise, spilling golden light over the landscape, touching the trees, the rocks, and finally, the two figures seated in awe.

Inaara's gaze was transfixed on the scene, her eyes wide with wonder.

"I've never seen anything so beautiful in my life," she whispered, her voice soft, as though afraid to disturb the magic of the moment. "It's... it's like I could stay here forever."

Atharv nodded, his gaze lost in the view.

"Neither have I," he murmured, and his words felt like more than just an agreement-they felt like an unspoken bridge between them.

For the briefest moment, their eyes met, and something shifted-a quiet understanding, something fragile and delicate, like the first stirrings of spring after a long winter.

He found himself studying her, the way the golden light danced across her face, how her hair caught in the breeze, and the gentle curve of her smile as she looked out over the horizon.

She looked so content, so at home here. He had always found comfort in control, in the cold, hard world of business.

But here she was, finding joy in simplicity, reminding him of things he'd forgotten, things he never thought he'd miss.

They sat together in silence, letting the beauty of nature wash over them, a reminder of all that was pure and untainted.

The sunrise, the mountains, the gentle warmth spreading around them-it felt as though, for a fleeting moment, the world had paused, gifting them a small space in time where nothing else mattered.

As they sat in the quiet morning, watching the sun lift higher into the sky, Inaara suddenly broke the silence with an unexpected question,

"What is your goal in life, Atharv?"

Atharv blinked, a little taken aback by the abruptness of it.

But then, regaining his composure, he replied with pride,

"To make Rajvansh Empire one of the world's biggest companies. To launch my own space research initiative-India's first private space research organization. And to become Asia's first trillionaire."

He looked at her, curious. "What's yours?"

Inaara smiled, a serene, almost contented smile. "To live in peace."

Atharv frowned, clearly perplexed. "Just... live in peace?"

"Yes," she replied simply.

He shook his head, as if she'd spoken in another language. "How can that be a goal?"

Inaara's smile deepened, her gaze drifting to the mountains in the distance.

"I don't need millions in my bank account, Atharv. I'm happy with the money I earn from my work-I love what I do. I'm satisfied with what I have. I don't feel the need to chase something that isn't mine to keep. So, yes... peace is my goal. Maybe someday, I'll have a little house nestled in a valley, surrounded by nature. But that's more of a dream than a goal."

Atharv rolled his eyes with a smirk. "Can't you just answer normally? Why does everything you say sound so... poetic?"

Inaara chuckled softly. "This is normal, Atharv. Not everyone dreams of material things. Everyone's dreams are different."

The conversation continued, drifting from ambitions to life's smaller moments.

Atharv found himself opening up, speaking of his frustrations, his relentless pursuit of success, the pressures that came with it.

And Inaara-she just listened. She had this quiet way of making him feel understood, as if every word he said held weight.

It was strange, he thought. Strange, yet oddly comforting.

When they returned to the cottage, Atharv decided to stay in to attend an important online meeting.

Inaara didn't mind; she was content to spend her time on the balcony, losing herself in a book and catching up with family and friends over long, easy calls.

-----

The next day passed with visits to scenic spots, capturing beautiful moments against the lush landscape.

But it was on their return from a mesmerizing waterfall that something unexpected happened.

As they were heading to the car, raindrops suddenly began to fall, starting as a gentle sprinkle and swiftly escalating into a downpour.

Both Atharv and Inaara dashed toward a small, nearby cottage for shelter, David following close behind.

He quickly directed the other bodyguards to bring the car over. Inside, as the rain drummed against the thatched roof, Inaara took out her scarf and gently dabbed away the droplets clinging to her face.

She noticed Atharv glancing her way and offered the scarf to him. "Do you need it?"

Atharv took the scarf, pressing it lightly against his face.

As he did, the delicate fragrance of sandalwood rose to meet his senses, familiar yet more vibrant now, an unmistakable essence of Inaara herself.

He recognized it from before, faintly lingering when he'd carried her from the library to her bedroom, but here, surrounded by rain and its earthy scent, it was deeper, more captivating.

He wiped his face and neck, momentarily lost in the subtle comfort it gave him.

As he handed it back, he paused. There she was, standing by the window, her face tilted toward the rain with a look of pure, unguarded wonder.

He could only see her in profile-her eyes bright and twinkling, as if they absorbed every drop falling from the sky.

Her hair, which had been tied, was now loose and slightly damp, cascading in soft waves down her back, almost reaching her hips.

The rain had added a gentle curl to the strands, which moved slightly in the breeze.

She wore a simple white kurti that caught the soft evening light filtering through the rain, giving her a faint, ethereal glow.

Atharv found himself staring, unaware of how long he'd been looking.

In that quiet moment, it was as if time slowed, the rain muffling all sounds except the soft rhythm of his heartbeat.

There was something strikingly innocent about her-so unpretentious, so lost in the simple beauty of the world around her.

He'd never met anyone who held such a genuine fascination with life's small wonders.

Inaara, oblivious to his gaze, simply enjoyed the rain, her smile growing as she watched it fall.

She wanted to dance, to let herself get lost in the rhythm of the storm, but she was in white, and modesty kept her from stepping out into the open.

Atharv's focus was broken only when David's voice called out, informing them that the car was now ready.

He blinked, as if waking from a trance, and stole one last glance at her before moving toward the car.

The bodyguards held umbrellas, shielding them from the rain as they made their way to the vehicle.

As he walked beside her, Atharv felt the faint trace

of her sandalwood scent lingering around them, blending with the fresh, rain-soaked air.

He couldn't shake off the feeling that the moment had left something unspoken between them-a delicate thread weaving silently into his thoughts.

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