AUTHOR'S NOTES A:N - The Gujarati language sentences that we've used is all from Google. Forgive us if there are any mistakes.
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SANYA MIRCHANDANI
We came back from West Virginia last night. Gautam had told me in advance about the charity fundraiser happening in Washington DC so I had come prepared for that. Gautam was working from home today. The whole day we focused on finishing our work-related stuff. In the evening, I got ready for the event. My makeup was gold and bold. I wore an off shoulder formal dress with a high slit which made me feel confident. I was finishing off my look with a minimalist gold accessory.
"Ahem...hem." I heard Gautum clear his throat.
"Want some help?"
I turned to look at him. He looked so noble in that dark navy-blue suit. I found us both staring at each other for a minute or so.
"Ah, yeah. The necklace is giving me a hard time today."
I complained. I gave him my necklace and automatically my eyes followed his body structure. From his hand to his chest to his abs. Uff... he really is a hunky man. He came closer to me. He kept looking in my eyes and I looked back at him. He moved my hair to one side and hooked the necklace around my neck.
"All done. You look beautiful today." I blushed at his compliment.
His fingers caressed my cheek and suddenly the room felt hot. I felt weird inside and nobody has ever made me feel this way. Not even Rohan.
"You look very charming, yourself." I smiled happily.
"Let's go." He said and after a nod I grabbed my clutch and my phone.
We left for the charity fundraiser event organized by the IBO community i.e. Indian Business Owners Community.
As we arrived at the charity fundraiser party in Washington DC, I could see Gautam's excitement to introduce me to his business associates and clients. He held my hand tightly as he led me to a group of people he knew, and I couldn't help but smile at his enthusiasm.
I felt a little nervous as Gautam introduced me to his business associates and clients. I knew how important they were to Gautam, and I wanted to make a good impression on them. But as the night went on, I started to relax. I enjoyed meeting new people and talking to them. Some of my associates were here too. I was equally thrilled to introduce them to Gautum.
The party was going well, and we were having a good time. He went ahead to converse with Mr. Robert, who was the Singhanias business partner while I was here looking at one of the paintings. To have a better look I stepped back and accidentally bumped into someone. I turned around to look at a young woman who spilled her drink on her dress.
"Oh, oh my god. I am extremely sorry." I said and helped her remove the stain.
"No. No. It's all good. This would come out easily." she said. She was very polite and kind.
Calling her beautiful would be an understatement she was way too good looking. I am sure this girl might be having guys fall at her feet.
"You are okay right?" I asked her.
"Yes, I am fine. Anyways I am always this clumsy and I was distracted by the look of that painting." She assured me.
Then she looked towards the painting of a couple sitting on a bench. The guy proposed to the girl with a ring and they looked very happy and in love. Their shadows showed an old couple who were equally happy and still in love with each other. The painting showed a literal description of true love and true happiness of life.
"Yeah, that painting is magical." I looked towards it and smiled.
"Finding true love and being happy with them for life is difficult. I once found love but foolishly let go of it." She looked upset.
"Well, don't be upset. I know I am nobody to say this to you but maybe it wasn't meant to be for life. Or maybe it wasn't true love. I believe if one truly loves a person then they would not leave them in any situation."
"Yeah, you are right." She said and she seemed to be cheered up a little.
"Now cheer up and let me atleast by you a drink. I spilled the last one." I offered her. She seemed like a nice person. She accepted it.
"I am Sanya Mirchandani. The sole heiress of the Mirchandani business empire." I gave my hand for a handshake.
She said, "Nice to meet you. I am Saanvi Sonpal."
Suddenly, Gautum caught my elbow and stopped me. "There you are, I have been fin-." He paused.
Saanvi Sonpal, Gautam's ex-girlfriend whom he hadn't seen in years. I could sense a hint of discomfort in Gautam's demeanor, but he quickly regained his composure. Saanvi approached us, and I could see Gautam's surprise and mixed emotions on his face.
I could tell that he was taken aback by the unexpected encounter. But I was confident that he was over his ex-girlfriend and had moved on with me. Still, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy as I noticed the way Saanvi was looking at Gautam.
She came closer to us and said, "Hey Gautam, thoda samay thayu chhe, tame kem cho?"
(Hey Gautam. It's been a while. How are you?)
Gautam subtly yet curtly said, "Hu majaa ma chu, Saanvi. Tame kem chho?"
(I am doing really well Saanvi, what about you?)
Even though Gautam comes from a traditional Marwari family, he very fluently speaks Gujarati both him and Alia do as Avantika aunty, their mom comes from a traditional Gujarati family.
"Hu saras chu Gautam. Dhanyavaad poochhva maate. Maru baba no vyavasaay sambhaal rahyo chu, mane amara base Mumbai thi Abu Dhabi ma lavva ma aavi gayu. Mumbai ma raheva baba no mrutyu pachi khub j zatoo lageyu." Saanvi said, looking around the room.
(I am doing great Gautam. Thanks for asking. I am taking care of my father's business. I moved our base from Mumbai to Abu Dhabi. Staying in Mumbai seemed too much after Baba's death.)
"By the way, how do you know Sanya?" She asked him innocently.
"You know her?" Gautum asked me. He was a bit surprised.
"We bumped into each other and had a small chat." I quickly replied.
Gautam said, "Oh. So let me introduce you both properly. Sanya, this is Saanvi Sonpal. My ex-girlfriend and an alumni at my university. Saanvi, this is Sanya Mirchandani, a member of the CBG clan, my family friend, and most importantly my fiance. She is the sole heiress of the Mirchandani business empire and is doing incredibly well in the business world."
THIRD PERSON POV
At first, when Gautam saw Saanvi after all these years, he was caught off guard. She was still beautiful as ever. He remembered how guys back in college guys used to chase her around and be He didn't expect her to be so calm and composed after all these years. Gautam was surprised, angry, and confused all at once, but he knew he had moved on and was engaged to Sanya and Saanvi doesn't really matter in his life anymore.
He knew how awkward Sanya might've felt as Saanvi spoke to him in Gujarati. She comes from a pure traditional Gujarati family while he is half Gujarati. They've always been like that while talking to each other which was mostly in Gujarati only, sometimes English & Hindi too.
As Gautam introduced her, Sanya extended her hand to Saanvi, putting on her best smile. "It's nice to meet you." she said, trying to appear friendly.
Saanvi smiled back, although her eyes seemed to betray a hint of disappointment. "It's nice to meet you too, Sanya." she replied.
Gautam introduced Sanya to Saanvi, hoping that the two women would get along. However, when Saanvi's face fell after hearing about their engagement, Gautam felt confused.
"Badha nu mangal ho!" Saanvi said, trying to hide her disappointment.
(Congratulations on your engagement)
Gautam was surprised at how happy Saanvi seemed for him and Sanya. "Thank you, Saanvi," he said, feeling a sense of relief.
Saanvi curiously asked, "When and where is the wedding?"
Sanya replied, "In 2 months. Where, that is yet to be decided."
Saanvi suggested, "Oh ok. Why don't y'all consider a destination wedding? Italy would be great for that you know. I can help you with the venue, if you like."
Gautam was pleased with the idea and thanked her. "That's very kind of you, Saanvi," he said, smiling.
Sanya gave her a tight lipped smile and said, "That is absolutely unnecessary Saanvi as the wedding venue will mostly be either London, Ahmedabad, Jaipur or Mumbai that's yet to be decided. But, thank you for offering."
Saanvi said, "No problem, my pleasure. By the way, I'll be in town for so,e days as I have been here since last 15 days since I have to establish our business here. What are you guys doing tomorrow? Let's meet up for dinner?"
Gautam said, "We're free, tomorrow sounds good."
Saanvi said, "Great. How does Gordon Ramsay Hell's Kitchen sound? I have always wanted to dine in one of his restaurants."
Gautam said, "Sounds perfect. That place is really great."
Sanya, on the other hand, was a bit skeptical. She couldn't help but feel like there was something fishy about Saanvi's sudden kindness. "Why is she being so nice?" she whispered to Gautam.
Gautam misunderstood Saanvi's intentions and replied, "She's just genuinely happy for us, Sanya. There's no harm in having dinner. Don't worry."
After that they spoke about their respective businesses and the college days and Sanya stood awkwardly to the side as they caught up. Saanvi started talking about her life in Italy and her successful coffee business, but Sanya was barely listening. She really felt like a third wheel, and couldn't help but feel suspicious of Saanvi's intentions. Sanya trusts Gautam but she doesn't trust the way Saanvi was looking at them god knows why but it is what it is.
"That's fantastic, Saanvi. You've done really well for yourself." Gautam said, trying to be polite. She smiled and looked towards Sanya.
As the night went on, Gautam couldn't help but think about his past with Saanvi. He felt a twinge of regret that things hadn't worked out between them, but he knew that he was with Sanya now and he did like her a lot. He and Saanvi were better off as friends.
When he looked over at Sanya, he could see the suspicion in her eyes. Gautam tried to reassure her with a smile, but he couldn't shake the feeling that something was off with her. Sanya couldn't shake off the feeling that Saanvi had ulterior motives, but the most infuriating part for her was that Gautam seemed to be unaware of it. Sanya hoped she was wrong and that they could move on with their lives together.