March 27, 2025 – Bangalore:
Today, I am going to receive the third award of my life — the "Best Employee of 2025." In the past three years, I’ve achieved a lot. Today, I couldn't stop thinking about someone who always used to tell me, "One day you’ll reach a place higher than even your dreams." But I would always get nervous, panic. Still, that person showed me light in my darkest times.
Even after repeatedly failing and when I couldn’t seem to get any closer to my dreams — when all hope was lost — he came and gave me the strength to start again. As I was lost in these thoughts, suddenly I heard my name being announced: “The Best Employee of the Year goes to Ishita Roy.”
As I went up on stage to collect my award, my best friend Mira was even happier than me. After receiving the award, the anchor requested me to say a few words. They asked if I too had someone who had been a mentor, idol, or supportive partner in my life.
I took the mic, and the only person who came to my mind was Vid — the one who also gave me the deepest pain of my life. Without saying much, I expressed my gratitude to my company, my parents, and most importantly, to my hard work and dedication — because that's what truly earned me this award.
Yes, some may think I'm self-centred, but that's not true. I always put myself first, and there’s no shame in that. Whatever I’ve achieved today is because of my own efforts, and I say this with pride.
As soon as I stepped off the stage, Mira gave me a tight hug and went on praising me for 10 minutes straight. In this selfish world, I truly have found a genuine friend. But her last words stung:
"Ishu, you were still thinking about Vidyut today, weren’t you? It’s been 5 years. Move on now. His life has moved far ahead, and you’re still stuck where you were back then. Half the guys in the office are crazy about you, and you ignore them like you’re some sage whose meditation would be disrupted by love. Please, I want a brother-in-law too. Fall in love again, or if not, at least go on a date!"
This is the same advice I’ve been hearing from her for the past four years. Her life’s only mission seems to be setting me up on a date.
As always, I just gave her a side-eye and said, “I don’t have time for all that. When the right person is meant to come, they will.”
And like every time, she quietly went silent, a little disappointed.
After the prize distribution, Mira and I were getting ready at our flat to attend our office success party. We aren't just colleagues — we’re also flatmates.
Mira, confident and effortlessly chic, wore a black sleeveless bodycon dress that hugged her silhouette perfectly. The dress, simple yet bold, highlighted her elegance. Her hair was neatly tied up in a sleek bun, revealing matching statement earrings that added a hint of glam. With minimal makeup, she let her natural features shine, radiating grace and poise.
And me looked equally stunning in a white knee-length gown that flowed delicately around me. The soft fabric gave me a dreamy, almost ethereal vibe. I kept my makeup light and natural, but my ever-present bright smile was my best accessory. I added a touch of charm with loose curls framing her face and a simple pendant necklace, completing a look that was both graceful and captivating.
Together, we made the perfect — stylish, confident, and glowing with celebration.
After we finished getting ready, we looked at ourselves and were quite happy with how we looked. But just as we were about to say that out loud, Mira's phone suddenly rang — it was Dev oberoi, her boyfriend.
Even though they’re in a long-distance relationship due to their professional lives, they make sure to spend at least one week together every month. Sometimes Mira visits Delhi, and sometimes Dev comes over.
Dev is a well-known heart surgeon and also happens to be related to him — Vid. In fact, over the past five years, all updates about Vid came to me through Mira, never directly.
Dev was calling to confirm the plans for their upcoming party — they’re celebrating their 5-year anniversary the day after tomorrow.
After the call, I had one question for Mira: “Is the Vid coming?”
Mira, with a disappointed look, replied, “No, he’s busy with work. He has three cases for his law firm coming up and can’t make it. Apparently, Dev and Vid even had an argument about it.”
Even though Vid is not just Dev’s cousin but also his best friend, he still chose to skip his best friend’s 5-year anniversary-slash-engagement party — and that really hurt Dev.
Hearing that, I felt a strange sense of relief. At least I wouldn’t have to face him. I wouldn't have to go back to those memories from five years ago — the day everything ended.
After Dev hung up, we were doing one final touch-up when the doorbell rang. Of course, it had to be Raj — the last member of our “3 Idiots” trio, and our ride for the night.
Raj is an architect and also our flatmate, though he lives in the flat right opposite ours. At first, we found his answers a bit weird and confusing, but now he’s one of our most beloved friends.
The three of us had done our internship together, and that’s when we met Raj for the first time. He was the kind of guy who would instantly become friendly with complete strangers and start sharing his entire life story — something most people avoid, but that’s exactly what makes Raj... Raj
He was dressed to impress. He wore a perfectly tailored midnight blue blazer over a crisp white shirt, slightly unbuttoned at the top for a relaxed yet sharp vibe. Paired it with black slim-fit trousers and polished loafers that added just the right amount of class.
His hair was styled back cleanly, with a little texture for that effortlessly cool finish. A sleek silver watch wrapped around his wrist, and he threw on a subtle musky cologne — not overpowering, just enough to turn heads when he walked by.
Mira and Ishita look.
Raj's look🤗
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Hey! I am ishq,i hope you all are doing great.
So this is the first chapter of forbidden love.
Tell me how the chapter is?
Thank you ❣️
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