Chapter 9 — The First Meeting

It was early evening when Arnav arrived at The Olive Courtyard, a quiet and elegant restaurant chosen for their first meeting. There were no family members present. It was only Arnav, Ritika and Rishi.

Ritika was already seated at a table with Rishi when Arnav entered.

Arnav walked toward them, his usual composed and reserved expression on his face.

Arnav: I'm sorry. My meetings got lined up one after another.

Ritika smiled politely.

Ritika: It's okay. I understand.

Arnav looked toward Rishi.

The little boy was watching him curiously. Then he gave Arnav a small smile.

Arnav's cold expression softened slightly.

Rishi: Hello, Uncle.

Arnav: Hello, champ.

Rishi looked at him innocently.

Rishi: Veer Mamu told me you're going to marry my mumma.

Ritika immediately looked at her son.

Ritika: Rishi...

But Rishi continued without hesitation.

Rishi: Then you will be my father?

Arnav looked at the little boy for a moment.

He crouched down so that he was at Rishi's eye level.

Arnav: Champ, only if you're okay with me.

Rishi looked at him.

Arnav: If you're not comfortable with me, then that's okay too. Nobody is going to force you.

Rishi studied Arnav's face for a few seconds.

Then he smiled.

Rishi: Okay.

Arnav's expression softened further.

Arnav: Come on, champ. Let's go inside.

He extended his hand toward Rishi.

Rishi looked at his hand for a moment before placing his small hand into Arnav's.

Arnav gently held it.

Ritika watched the two of them silently.

Something inside her heart loosened.

It wasn't a promise.

It wasn't an acceptance of marriage.

It was simply a small moment.

But for Ritika, it meant everything.

Arnav looked toward her.

Arnav: Shall we?

Ritika nodded.

Ritika: Yes.

The three of them walked into the restaurant together.

For the first time, Ritika saw Arnav not as the powerful businessman everyone spoke about, but as a man walking beside her son, holding his little hand.

And perhaps that was the beginning of something neither of them had expected.