Hello, my self Yashvardhan Agnihotri. I'm already in my late thirties yeah I am 38 years old. Right now I am sitting in this large living room with my laptop in my lap, I'm immersed in my work, "okay pretending to be immersed in my work", because my eyes keep drifting toward that corner.

She sits on a cushion near the balcony, lost in her favorite novel. Occasionally, something sweet or lightly amusing in the book brings a faint carve to her lips. I glance at my laptop as if studying my work, but the truth is, all my attention is fixed on her. No one else notice that I'm watching....

The delicate curve of her nose...yes, exactly - that quiet gentleness in her simplicity. And her lips..... the faintest hint of a smile, so subtle that no one else might notice. Her messy bun, with stray stands falling over her forehead....such simple, charming perfection. Occasionally, she brushes them back lightly, and I just keep watching...

Her fingers holding the pages of the book - so gentle, so precise - every little movement revealing her quiet innocence. And the saree draped over her shoulder so naturally, so beautifully, it seems like beauty needs no display at all. I'm seeing it every small detail, every faint smile, I lose myself completely.

I just keep watching... and thinking....

Yashvardhan's inner voice:

"How wonderful it would be if this moment just paused here,

If a gentle breeze were to blow, softly caressing her loose hair,

Letting the strands fall over her face with such innocent grace,

She would lightly run her hand through her hair, tenderly adjusting it,

If only this moment could freeze just like this.

How wonderful it would be if this moment stayed forever...

After thinking a small smile blossomed on yashvardhan's face. So faint that perhaps no one else could notice it, yet at the very moment, Keya lifted her gaze from her book and looked toward him. The light in her eyes caught that delicate curve of his lips.

Keya asked softly, "why are you smiling? Did something happen? Please tell me"

When Keya spoke, Yashvardhan lifted his head from the laptop and looked into her eyes. It was not intentional but accidental. In that instant, their gazes met. Yashvardhan felt as if time itself had paused. The air seemed still, heartbeats frozen, and he found himself lost entirely in Keyas gentle smile. Every moment, every breath seemed to linger around them. It felt as if his entire life had condensed into this single. Perfect moment.

And then a small voice came from nearby,"mamma".

No.. that child was not mine. Nor that woman was my wife. And no.. that house was not mine either. I was merely a stranger there. The people - their faces - their words - had no connection to me. That place was not mine. I was just an outsider, like a shadow passing quietly through. But their only thing that was mine, my quiet love for that woman. My sincere loyalty for Keya Ganguli...

This is my Yashvardhan Agnihotri's story. A peculiar, unfinished story. One that began with my one - sided love..... And perhaps, may end in the same one sided love....

Yashvardhan's introduction in his words:

"My name is yashvardhan Agnihotri. I'm 36 years old. At this age, most people around me have settled down, some even with kids. My family has tried - repeatedly - to push me into marriage, worried I'm falling behind in life. They don't understand that I don't love anyone, and honestly, I don't care to love or be loved. Marriage? It's never been something I've wanted or believed in. I keep people at a distance, not because I hate them, but because I'm safer that way. I've had my share of casual relationship, nothing serious, nothing that makes me vulnerable. Solitude and control - those are what matter to me. No flashy villas, no noisy family gathering. Just silence. Just me."

Yashvardhan Agnihotri was highly confident and sometimes stubborn businessman known for his ruthless in professional matters. As the chairman of Agnihotri Enterprises, one of Mumbai's largest conglomerates, his net worth was estimated to billions. Known for his sharp acumen and assertive leadership, Yashvardhan was in compromising when it came to business outcomes, and he didn't hesitate to fire anyone if performance did not meet his standards. His powerful presence in Mumbai's corporate world made him one of the most formidable businessmans in the city.

Yashvardhan was on a business trip in another country. There, he was very busy with his work. Suddenly, while he was occupied with his tasks, he received a call regarding and important update:

Yashvardhan: hello?

Rajat: hello Mr. Agnihotri, this is Rajat from the company. I hope I'm not disturbing you.

Yashvardhan: what's the matter?

Rajat: sir, I wanted to inform you that one of our employees has arrived from another city with his wife and child.

Yashvardhan: mm.

Rajat: since our private employeee residence already filled. So HR department decided to provide them the apartment on your floor, which has one empty apartment there.

(only few close one knows about Yashvardhan's real identity. But in the company every one respectful and fearful of his presence because they knew that they can't mess with him.)

Yashvardhan: (angrily) I was living alone on that floor, and I never allowed anyone else there!

Rajat: I understand your concern, sir. But given their situation, company had to move them temporary. After sometime company will arrange something for them. We hope you understand.

Yashvardhan: (fuming) make it fast.

Rajat: we appreciate your understanding, sir. If you have any other concern, please let us know.

Yashvardhan: alright, keep me update.

Rajat: certainly, sir. Thank you for your time.

After the call, Yashvardhan immersed himself completely in his work. Business meetings, and presentations. He concentrated on his work so intensely that he forget about the employee moving into his floor.

On the other side, Debayan Ganguli, a deputy manager known for his excellent work ethic and strict professiOnalism but gentle nature with his employees, along with his wife Keya and their 3 year - old son Ishan, were preparing to move from Kolkata to Mumbai. They were eager to start a new chapter full of hopes and dreams in the bustling City.

Debayan was deeply affectionate at towards his family, loving his wife and son more than anything. The family was busy settling into their new life, and Debayan's dedication to work remained unwavering. They were carefully transforming They apartment into a warm home, getting their son Ishan enrolled in kindergarten, and adjusting to city life.

A month had passed, and both the Ganguli family and Debayan's were beginning to feel more settled despite the workload. Keya was managing household task while Debayan was attending to his professional responsibilities.

Meanwhile, Yashvardhan had return from his business trip and signed a multi-crore deal worth hundreds of crores. Ecstatic, he went out to celebrate with his friends Aditya and Karan.

Yashvardhan: (raising glass) "to hard work, determination, and the biggest deal of the year! This is just the beginning, my friends".

Aditya: "cheers to that: your dedication inspires us all."

Karan: " here's to many more deals and celebrations."

they partied all night, sharing joy and celebrating success, as Yashvardhan loved such a moments with close friends who always supported him.

The night had stretched for longer than any of them head planned. What began as a simple celebration turned into a blur of laughter, loud music and endless glasses raised in the dim glow of a bar. By the time they were done, down had already brushed the edges of the city with pale light. And somewhere between 4 and 5 in the morning Yashvardhan finally stumbled back into his apartment.

He barely managed to toe off his shoes before collapsing into his bed. Sleep claimed him so quickly, he didn't even remember closing his eyes.

Hours later, when he finally woke up, he had no idea how long he'd been asleep. Darkness stretched across his room through the window, and his head felt unbearably heavy . With slow, dragging steps, he walked to the bathroom and splashed cold water onto his aching mind. His thoughts were foggy, drifting, refusing to align.

After freshening up, he prepared a simple hangover soup in the kitchen and drink it while checking his business massages and emails. There was work waiting for his attention, the next day - meetings, calls, schedules - and as he reviewed them all, he unknowingly passed the entire evening in that quiet, numbing rhythm.

Later, Yashvardhan slept early, and when his alarm rang at six in the morning, he woke with a clearer mind. A full hour of workout followed. Then a healthy breakfast of juice and toast. He, showered, stepped into his walk-in closet, and chose what he considered "casual" a navy - blue suit, a white shirt with two top buttons left open, cuff links, a leather watch, and polished black shoes. He ran his fingers through his hair not bothering with precision. Even with that effortless touch, he looked strikingly handsome.

With his laptop bag in one hand and his phone in his pocket, he stepped out and entered the elevator. He was about to press the button to close the door when a soft voice called out - a voice he didn't recognize.

He froze...

He wasn't used unexpected sounds in the quite hallway. But then he remembered: he wasn't the only resident on this floor.

Curiosity pulled his guess toward the source of the sound and At that moment, his world paused.

A girl around 24, walked toward him. She wore a white saree with delicate red flower Prints. The fabric floated around her like captured moonlight touched with sunrise. Her hair was tied in a messy bun, a few loses strands brushing her cheeks. A small black bindi rested gently on her forehead. Red churi paired with golden bangles on her wrists, and a tiny nose ring glimmered when stepped closer.

She held a purse and a phone in her hands and as she entered the elevator, she come to stand right beside Yashvardhan.

In the brief seconds it took her to reach him, Yashvardhan felt something shift inside him. He couldn't look away. It wasn't her beauty - though she was undeniably beautiful with her brown skin - it was something else. A softness. Quite A grace. A delicate calmness that wrapped around him like a whisper.

She looked up at him for a second. A small smile touched her lips - gentle, effortless, and worm enough to melt The frozen air between them.

She said softly:" thank you"....

Her voice......her voice felt like silk brushing lightly against his senses. It lingered inside him long after the word faded.

The elevator descended silently. From the fifth floor to the first floor, he didn't move, didn't think, didn't breathe properly. He was lost - but not the kind of lost that frightened him. This felt..... magical. Like stumbling into a moment that wasn't meant to be forgotten.

When they reached the first floor, she walked out first, calm and graceful, and got into an auto - rickshaw. She didn't look back.

Yashvardhan left to, drove to his office, sat in his cabin - and realized he remembered nothing from the drive. Nothing, except her.

He ran a hand through his hair and muttered under his breath,

Yashvardhan: " what kind of man am I? I met her once. And I didn't even ask har name.....