Destiny or Coincidence?

Athira Patel

All of them were looking at her with admiration while me and Dev were looking at her in shock. She was looking even young in her saree. I always knew that she was hiding something but never thought it would be this big. Now i realised about her reaction when I told her about my working place. 

Oh god, all this while i used to share information and my opinion about the company and the employees in it with none other than my CEO itself. I want to dig a hole for myself and get into it so that I don't have to face her now. 

But she was looking stunning with the way she is carrying herself so confidently that anyone can see it in her eyes how much she is proud of her company. I want to become a woman like her. She can be a role model for all girls of our age. 

"Very good evening one and all" she greeted with the same warm smile on her face that I found myself listening to her. Her voice is one demanding and kind at the same time which can get everyone's attention. "First of all, I would like to thank all of you for joining with us in this party and making it even more colourful with your presence," she said looking at all of them to which there was a cheer from the crowd.

"I know that it was a last-minute announcement for all of you to attend this party, and i am so sorry for making trouble. I am glad that you have turned up here to it celebrate with us. As my manager mentioned earlier, this party is organised on the occasion of two important things which i am going to announce it now." she said taking a breath while we all watched her with new kind of light. It was the first time for most of them to look at her in person. 

"Firstly, I can proudly announce that today our company Gordan Saint have completed 24 years successfully and I am very happy to share this news with you all. It was just like yesterday when me and my husband started this company with only ten employees, but today we are almost ten lakhs people working together. Thanks to all of you for supporting me throughout my journey in increasing this company." she took a deep breath before continuing. But i can see her face was getting emotional. It was tugging my heart for her. 

"Unfortunately my husband is not here today to witness this success but i know that he is watching all of this from heaven. Thank you Girish, for being my strength and support system all the time, " she said smiling sadly but i can see the pride in her eyes. She loves this company like her own son. But she even misses her husband a lot.

"And today i would like to introduce both of my sons to all the world. I know that I have kept my personal life a secret all these years but it was my husband's and my son's decision to be it as secret. They wanted it to get revealed when the time comes. My sons helped me a lot for this company and I will forever be proud of them" she said smiling widely with the same pride in her eyes. Anyone can see how her eyes are shining with happiness. 

"So let's welcome my eldest son to the stage. Common my dear" she announced turning backside to look in the direction of the stairs. 

What the hell…..???

Oh my god…. Am I seeing correctly?? Is he the same person whom I have met before?? 

All of them were looking at him with curiosity while i was looking at him with shock in my eyes. When he came and hugged Hema aunty by kissing the top of her head, I saw her glistening eyes with love for her son which brought a smile to my face. 

So my so-called big brother is her elder son? Oh my…. This night is turning so interesting… They both turned towards the audience and again aunty held the mic in her hands to continue. 

"This is my elder son Advaith Ponnam who is the owner of the Srivastav and co. Hotels" she announced proudly looking at her son to which he too smiled at her widely in return. 

"He helped me a lot in this company but never wanted to takeover this company because he was more interested to work with his grandfather for Srivastav and co. And when his grandfather was dying, he named the total company on my son's name to be the CEO of it. So from then on, he was looking after that company" she explained to the audience who were murmuring among themselves probably about taking the other company than his own company. Even I was confused about this because normally elder son will take over the company of their parents. But here the situation was quite different. 

"And my younger son, who is silent, obedient, caring, loving, determined and hardworking is the man of today's event. This party and everything about today is for him. Because my dear people, It's his birthday in the first place and the reason to organise this party." she said making all of them in the audience to grow silent once again in confusion. 

We all thought that it was Hema aunty's birthday today but looks like it was her son's birthday. But that means…??

"Yes, what you are thinking is right. He is the one to takeover this company and takes the position of CEO today evening. It was the main reason for this party, So that I can introduce him to all of you before announcing it." she said before taking a deep breath. We all were silent to witness the opening of this new chapter. 

"I wanted him to takeover once he completed his studies but he was keen to work for one year in our company as an employee rather than taking over the company as soon as he completed his studies. He wanted to work for the company so that he can know the opinions of the employes about this company and most importantly the to and pros of the company. He said that becoming a CEO will not help achieve him anything if he doesn't know what his employees are thinking about the company. He believes that the company can only grow if the employees are satisfied with the management and if not then he can note down the issues so that he can improve it once he becomes the CEO. So yes, he worked with all of you guys for a year as a normal employee like any other and learned many things in this past year. And I am so proud of him for that." she explained making us all freeze looking at each other in shock and surprise. 

"He wanted to earn his position with his hard work and not occupy it as the heir of the company. He wanted to learn and improve himself to be eligible for this position and then take it into his hands. He wanted to make his father proud and today he made it by all means. And i can proudly announce that he has earned it today because of his hard work and not due to his name" she announced with a wide smile.

What are we hearing today? He was among us all this time? Oh no… What if anyone spoke any wrong words in front of him? 

"Oh, fish… we are burst… Who is this guy?" Karthik commented looking shocked and pretty much everyone's expression is the same listening to her words.

"Now, I would like to call my younger son on to the stage. Let's welcome your future CEO" she announced with pride in her voice and all of them looked at the stage to see the person of the evening.

It was like my whole world stopped at that moment when my eyes met the person who is so-called the CEO of the company. My heartbeat stopped for a second and everyone gasped at the person who stood proudly beside his brother and hugged his mother first. 

Oh my… Oh my…. Oh my…. 

WHAT THE FUCK…..

I want to get up from this dream and rub my eyes but I know that it's not a dream what i am seeing it the reality of life because of the shocked faces of all of them. Even Omisha was shocked looking at him. 

MY GOODNESS…. ABHILASH IS THE CEO????

Abhilash…..??? Is he the same Abhilash whom i have kissed and was falling for?? Is he the same one who is our project manager?? I think it was his twin….

Oh Shit… It was him… So all this time he was among us to observe all of them???

Wow… It's super exciting and surprising at the same time.

"What the hell…" muttered Karthik while Dev said "Fuck man…"

"Oh my… Abhilash??" Sahana opened her mouth wide blinking her eyes repeatedly to look at him again while Char was just frozen on her spot same like me.

"This is my younger son Abhilash Ponnam and the future CEO of the company," she announced it proudly hugging him again with happy tears. 

"And I wish you a very happy birthday Abhi. It's your 26th birthday and I am proud of your achievements beta" she wished him by kissing his cheek whereas Advaith patted his brother's back appreciating him. 

Once his mother released Abhi, he turned towards his elder brother for a bro hug. His brother also has a look of pride in his eyes while hugging his younger brother. I can see the love among them which made my eyes fill with tears for Hema aunty. She deserves it.

Then he took the mic from Aunty and stood in front of the audience with confidence in his eyes. God, he is looking breathtaking in his black suit and his neatly combed hair to the back. Power is radiating from him and everyone in the room became silent the moment he cleared his throat. He can make anyone feel like a cat in front of him. 

I wanted to go and hug him tightly on the spot and kiss him breathlessly. It was that temping and irresistible at the moment. But I controlled my violent thoughts and concentrated on him about what he is going to say. I forgot about the whole world around me my sole interest was captured by this handsome man on the stage. 

"Hello everyone. A very good evening to all. I know that many of them here are surprised to know that I am the CEO of the company but trust me, it was only out of the good intention to be among you to know the flaws of the company so that I can improve it. But surprisingly there are not many of them and I am very happy to know that my employees are satisfied working here." he said giving us his signature smile which made my insides warm. 

My god... How much i missed him today…

"I wanted to keep my identity a secret, so that i can learn about this company and even make myself eligible for the position of CEO. So it was my request to keep it a secret. And now I am ready to takeover the company and get it to the new level because now I want my mother to retire from her position and give her the rest she wants. She used to work day and night everyday to get this company to this stage where it is now. And now I want my mother to relax and enjoy her life while i carry this burden on my shoulders." he said looking lovingly at his mother. 

"Thank you so much mom for being with me in each and every step of mine to encourage me and support me. I am lucky to have you as my mother and this idiot as my brother. Without you both i am nothing today." he said chuckling while his brother punched him friendly on the shoulder. 

"And thank you all of you for coming here on such short notice and being the part of our important day to share with us. You can enjoy the party" he said while everyone clapped and cheered him from the crowd while i just sat there looking at him. I can see from the corner of my eyes that all of them who are present at our table were watching me intently but i am unable to take my eyes away from him. It was like he captured me in a stance making me freeze my glance at him.

Once all of them started murmuring among themselves, his eyes started roaming here and there in the crowd looking after someone until his glance was on mine. My breath caught in my throat the moment his eyes met mine because he gave me his heart-melting smile making me melt then and there itself.

He excused himself from his family and started getting down looking at me while i was watching his every move like a statue not even blinking my eyes.

But suddenly I remembered that he is the CEO of the company and I got released from this trance-like stage getting nervous and tense. 

Oh god… No no no no… Don't come this way… I am not yet ready to face you dammit… 

My heart was beating faster due to my sudden panic and I immediately got up making all the eyes on the table turn towards me in confusion. But they got the answer when they glanced in the direction of my eyes to see that Abhi was approaching our table with a grin on his face while i am becoming a mess due to panic. 

I moved away from the table and started backing away from it making him furrowed his eyebrows in confusion due to my reaction. But then he realised my situation and started walking faster making me back away even more and I immediately turned away from him to get myself out of this party to clear my mind. I started walking faster to the back of the door where i have spotted the garden. 

"Athira…" he shouted making me freeze on the spot for a moment before retrieving my steps and walking again... 

Many questions were running through my mind at present but the main question is that he is the CEO of the company.

How can i talk to him knowing that he is my boss?? Can it be same like before?? Or will everything change now that he is my CEO???

I wanted to be happy for him for becoming the CEO of the company but at the same time, I want to cry due to my fate… I don't know what is happening at current and everything is very confusing… 

I am afraid to face him knowing that he is my boss and not my Abhi… I want to run and hug him tightly but at the same time run away from him… 

What should i do??

Should I be happy for him?? Or cry at my fate??

Why can't everything can be normal for once in my life? Why does it always have to be so critical? 

It was a happy moment but here I am ruining it with my doubts and insecurities. But what can i do?  I cannot help it. My mind is running with a lot of questions and I am unable to comprehend anything about it. 

Abhi… 

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Hello everyone,

Here is your awaiting chapter. How was the last chapter? Did you enjoy it? And how was the twist in it?

and what about this chapter? what do you think about this new revelation? Anyone thought about it earlier? Any guesses about the next chapter?

Do let me know about your thoughts and opinions on this chapter. Please don't forget to vote, comment and share it if you like.

Will try to update the next one within two to three days. Till then... see you...

Love....

Sprinkle....