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The afternoon was unusually quiet inside the boutique.

Most of the customers had left after the lunch rush, leaving the staff busy arranging new arrivals and updating stock.

Dhwani sat behind the reception counter, carefully adding embellishments to a designer dupatta.

At seven months pregnant, Padma had strictly banned her from doing anything remotely strenuous.

Which meant Dhwani spent most of her time handling customers at billing, minor paperwork, and embroidery work.

Not that Padma listened to any objections.

The woman had become unbearably protective.

Her phone suddenly rang.

Padma glanced at the screen and immediately grinned.

"Mamu!"

Dhwani smiled without looking up. There it was again. The famous uncle. Over the past few months, Dhwani had heard enough stories about Padma's mysterious uncle to write a biography.

Padma answered the call.

"Hello, favourite uncle."

"I am driving, Padma." A deep male voice sounded through the speaker.

"Good afternoon to you too." Padma rolled her eyes.

"I have a meeting nearby."

"Okay?"

"I will stop by the boutique in twenty minutes."

"Really?" Padma immediately sat up.

"Yes."

"And don't start any drama. I have a flight in the evening."

"Excuse me, what drama do I start?"

The line had already disconnected.

"Rude." Padma stared at her phone.

"Very loving conversation." Dhwani laughed.

"That's because he pretends he doesn't love me." Padma huffed.

"Hmm."

"Seriously. He acts annoyed all the time."

"What?" Dhwani finally looked up.

Padma was smiling. A very suspicious smile.

"What?" Dhwani narrowed her eyes.

"My uncle is coming."

"Obviously."

"You haven't met him yet, have you?"

"No." Dhwani shook her head. Then she laughed. "I have heard about your uncle in almost every conversation we have had."

"As you should." Padma grinned proudly.

"But no." Dhwani smiled. "I have never met him."

"He moved to Mumbai after his marriage." Padma leaned against the counter.

"Oh."

"His wife is focused on her acting career. So he shifted there."

Dhwani nodded.

That explained why this mysterious uncle was rarely around.

"You make him sound like some superhero."

"He practically is." Padma replied immediately. "He handles one of the biggest production houses in South India like it's a piece of cake."

"Seriously?" Dhwani's eyes widened.

Padma nodded.

"And despite being rich, successful and famous, he still answers my calls."

"Very noble."

"I know."

The two women laughed.

About twenty minutes later, the bell above the boutique door chimed.

Neither paid much attention initially.

Until several employees suddenly straightened.

One of the salesgirls gasped.

Another whispered something excitedly.

Dhwani looked up.

And froze.

A tall man had just entered the boutique.

Well over six feet.

Broad shoulders. Perfectly tailored formals. A luxury watch glinting on his wrist.

His presence was quiet. Yet somehow commanding. The kind of presence that naturally drew attention.

Dhwani blinked. Then blinked again.

Because she knew that face.

Her mouth slowly fell open.

"Padma..."

Padma looked up. Immediately smiling.

"Oh. He's here."

Dhwani stared.

Then looked at Padma.

Then back at the man.

Then back at Padma.

"Isn't that..." Her voice dropped. "...the famous producer Yash Goenka?"

Dhwani simply stared.

Because the man walking toward them was not what she had expected.

At all.

When Padma had repeatedly spoken about her uncle, Dhwani had imagined someone in his fifties.

Maybe salt-and-pepper hair. Maybe reading glasses. Definitely older.

Not...

This.

Not someone who looked barely thirty.

Not someone who looked like he belonged on a magazine cover.

Padma stepped forward dramatically.

"Dhwani Gupta." She gestured grandly. "Meet my favourite uncle."

The man stopped beside them. One eyebrow lifted.

"I am your only uncle, Padma." His voice was dry.

Dhwani nearly laughed. Padma ignored him.

"As I was saying." She pointed toward Yash. "My favourite uncle."

Then pointed toward Dhwani. 

"This is Dhwani." A warm smile appeared on Padma's face. "She joined a few months ago."

"But she's my best friend now." Her smile widened.

For the first time, Yash properly looked at Dhwani.

Not just a passing glance.

An actual look.

Dhwani felt strangely self-conscious.

Then his gaze dropped.

Briefly.

Toward her stomach.

The rounded curve of her seven-month pregnancy was impossible to miss.

Something flickered across his face.

A brief emotion.

Gone too quickly to identify.

Then he looked back at her.

And smiled politely.

"Nice to meet you, Dhwani."

The smile was courteous.

Professional.

Yet there was kindness in it.

"Nice to meet you too.." The corner of his mouth twitched slightly.

For a brief second, she noticed something. His smile never reached his eyes. The realization surprised her.

Everything about him screamed success. Power. Wealth. Confidence.

Yet his eyes looked… Tired.

As though he hadn't slept properly in months. As though something heavy sat permanently on his shoulders.

Before Dhwani could think further, Yash turned toward Padma.

"Official meeting." His tone shifted instantly. Professional. Focused. "Can we talk in your cabin?"

"And here I thought you came running to see your favourite niece." Padma immediately pouted.

Yash rolled his eyes.

The gesture between them looked so familiar that Dhwani realized this argument probably happened every single time.

"I have a flight in a few hours, Padma." He checked his watch. "Come."

And just like that, he turned and started walking toward the glass cabin at the far end of the boutique.

"My affection is never appreciated." Padma sighed dramatically.

"Move." Yash called out loudly, without turning back.

"See?" She turned toward Dhwani. "Heartless."

Yash didn't even bother responding.

Which somehow made it funnier.

Dhwani smiled as she watched them disappear into the cabin.

The door closed behind them.

For a few moments she returned to her work.

Then she glanced toward the cabin again.

Through the glass walls, she could see Yash speaking with Padma.

Discussing something.

Probably business.

Yet his expression remained the same.

Calm.

Controlled.

Detached.

The kind of face people wore when they didn't want anyone seeing what was underneath.

A quiet sigh escaped Padma a few minutes later.

Dhwani looked up.

Padma had emerged from the cabin briefly to collect a file.

The cheerful smile she usually wore was gone.

"What's wrong?" Dhwani asked softly.

Padma glanced toward the cabin. Where Yash was now looking through documents. A sadness settled in her eyes.

"He wasn't always like this."

"What do you mean?" Dhwani frowned.

Padma remained silent for a moment.

Then looked back at her uncle through the glass wall.

The man was successful.

Powerful.

Respected.

Everything a person could want.

And yet...

Something had changed over the last few months.

Something fundamental.

The laughter had disappeared.

The warmth had faded.

Even his smiles felt rehearsed now.

"The last few months changed him." Padma lowered her voice.

Dhwani instinctively looked toward the cabin.

Toward the man sitting alone at the table.

For some reason...

He suddenly looked far less intimidating.

And far more lonely.

A/N

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