A Love That was never meant to Be

"A Love That Was Never Meant to Be" Hello everyone, I hope you enjoy this short story, a tale of love, longing, and the unexpected ways fate weaves people’s lives together. This story is for those who have felt both the pain of love and the joy of togetherness. Nowadays, people meet, share beautiful moments, and create memories. But often, due to ego, misunderstandings, or arguments, relationships fall apart. In those moments, they forget the happiness they once shared, the warmth of being together. This is a story of one such girl—someone with dreams, someone who has achieved so much in life. She believed she had everything she wanted, everything she had planned for. But what she didn’t know was that God had already written a different plan for her—one that was never in her bucket list, one that had the power to change her entire life. And now, standing at a crossroads, she finds herself lost in the clouds, unsure of what to do. What happens when love arrives uninvited? What happens when destiny brings two people together, but life refuses to let them stay? Hi, my name is Mira. I’m sweet and soft-hearted, but don’t mistake my kindness for weakness. How I treat you depends entirely on how you treat me—I believe in karma. What you give, you get back. Hahaha! I never really chased love. I believed in it, sure, but I had dreams to chase first. My career, my ambitions, my own little world—I was happy with the life I was building. Love was something that could come later, when the time was right. I like to have everything under control. I always work with Plan A and Plan B, just in case life decides to throw surprises my way. But no matter what, I try to keep myself happy and focused on my biggest goal—becoming a successful woman in my favorite field: Finance. OMG, wait! Did I forget to mention something? 😳 "YES!" Finance is my absolute favorite industry. I love everything about it—the power, the knowledge, the endless opportunities. But here’s the funny part… I have zero knowledge about finance. ☹️ "Yes, it’s true. I have zero knowledge about finance. But you know what? Time and experience teach you everything. And if there’s one secret I’ve learned—money itself will teach you everything you need to know. Money shows you the value of time. Money teaches your patience. Money tests your discipline. And if you’re not careful… money can also teach you regret. That’s why I’m here. To learn. To grow. To prove to myself that even without knowing where to start, I can still build something great. But what I didn’t know was that finance wasn’t the only lesson waiting for me. Life had a different plan. A plan that had nothing to do with money, but everything to do with him. “Yeh un dino ki baat hai…” (See? My Hindi is top-notch! 😂) This was the time when I joined my new company. And wow—what a place! Everyone here was an expert in arguments, and ego? Oh, that was a family treasure, inherited straight from their great-grandfathers—and proudly imposed on me in the office. And logic? Well, logic was just a game of power. Whoever had more authority decided what "made sense." I had always heard people say, “Corporate life is like a jailhouse.” But now? Now, I had first-hand experience. And let me tell you, it’s not just a saying—it’s the harsh reality. Every second felt like a pinpointing reminder of where I had landed. Here it was—my job list. Job list. Hahaha! So funny, right? Except… I didn’t have a choice. These tasks weren’t just “to-dos.” They came with a DEADLINE. OMG, this word—“deadline.” Just hearing it gives me goosebumps. I had heard a lot about deadlines before, but I had always taken them in a positive way—like motivation to get things done. But here? Here, "deadline" had a completely different meaning. Dear believer, let me tell you— • Deadlines kill your sleep. • Deadlines murder your fun. • Deadlines erase your entertainment. • And in return? You receive… bla, bla, bla… lectures, emails, complaints. 😩 And the best part? Your boss—the DON of the office—who is NEVER happy with your work. "God, WHY did you create this position in my life?" 😭 Didn’t you see? I was perfectly happy without this man! Sigh. But what can I do? You gave me this "opportunity" with so much love (and torture). Now, I have no choice but to face it. Finally, my day ended— filled with tension, anxiety, and enough drama to put a daily soap to shame. But believe me, my friends—this is NOT the end. 😩 There’s more. SO. MUCH. MORE. Because guess what? This was just one week in this company. One. Week. And somehow… I ended up spending seven years here. SEVEN YEARS! 😳 I don’t even know how I managed to destroy my life like this. Was it destiny? A bad decision? Black magic?! 😭 But here I am. Surviving. Existing. Watching my youth fade away with every new deadline. Welcome to my corporate saga. Buckle up. It’s a long ride. After spending one whole week in my new office, I had a major realization— No one is real. No one is fixed. People change faces faster than the stock market crashes. I observed my coworkers—acting like Tom Cruise with a sugar-coated smile. But in reality? They were snakes. The kind you can never predict, never trust, and definitely never turn your back on. Then came my first big moment. After just two days, I submitted my first official file to my manager. And OMG—my manager must be related to the chameleon family. Because within seconds, he changed his statement, took all the credit for my work, and smiled like nothing happened. And what did he say to me? "Mira, you’re here to learn the process." LEARN?! Excuse me, sir, but what exactly am I supposed to learn here—how to get my work stolen in broad daylight?! 😤 But I knew the real reason. It wasn’t about learning. It was because of my age. They believed that at 19 years old, I couldn’t handle huge responsibilities. Wait—did I forget to share my age with you? Uff, my bad! Yes, I’ve recently turned 19. Now, I’m officially an adult. Sounds great, right? But no. Because being Mira, the queen of drama, comes with its own struggles. My parents think I need more time to “mature.” My coworkers think I need more time to “understand the process.” Are they sick? Or do they believe I am? 🤨 I took a tea break—because honestly, I couldn’t take any more drama or bla bla bla. So, I decided to step away. Just me, my tea, and my favorite place. Because you see, tea breaks aren’t just about tea. They’re about dreams. And when I dream, it’s never about a boyfriend or marriage. That was never my goal. I dream of a better life. A better opportunity. A home—not just any home, but one that I built, that I earned, that belongs to me. Because in Indian culture, a girl is always someone’s responsibility. Before marriage? She lives in her parents' house. After marriage? She moves into her husband’s house. But where is HER house? Where is HER name? Where is HER identity? That’s why my dream is simple yet powerful. I want a place that is truly mine. A place people will call, "Mira’s House." Tea break over. And as expected, my lovely boss (note the sarcasm) is calling me. Again. I don’t understand this man. On one hand, he makes me feel like my presence in the office is a total disaster. Like I’m just wasting space. But on the other hand? He can’t go a second without calling me. Make it make sense! 😤 Sometimes, I feel like a small little girl who isn’t allowed to balance personal and professional life—because apparently, my entire existence belongs to this office. Anyway. Never mind. I return to my desk, still holding my cup of tea. Physically, I’m here. Mentally? I’m inside my dream house. I can already see it—the wall colors, the interior design. And most importantly… The nameplate. ✨ "Miss Mira Gupta" ✨ WOW. Just thinking about it gives me goosebumps. 😍 But wait—why is my manager staring at me like that? Did I just steal his heart? 💀 Or does he think I’m about to apply for a loan? 🤣 Uff, I’m exhausted. After doing countless reconciliations, my brain has officially given up. And finally—FINALLY—it’s time to say goodbye, Boss. But there’s a small problem. I’m feeling super sleepy. Of course, I am—it’s midnight. My log-off time? 6 PM. The reality? Midnight. 😑 Thanks to audit deadlines and year-end madness, I was stuck finishing a never-ending list of tasks. And now, to make things even worse, my DON boss is offering to drop me home. Did I ask for this? NO. Did I want this? NO. Can I say no? Also NO. It’s midnight. Not safe for me to go alone. So when he said, "I’ll drop you home," I had no choice but to say yes. And that? That was my biggest mistake. "God, don’t you think I deserve some peace? WHY did you create this man? WHY?!" 😭 Because in my entire ride home, instead of silence, music, or peace, I got… A lecture. • What is Accounting? • What is Management Accounting? • What is Record to Report? Sir. It’s MIDNIGHT. My brain is dead. Do you really think I can process this information right now?! 😩 But do I have a choice? No. So I sit there, pretending to be a good girl, nodding my head, saying "Yes, sir" and "No, sir." And just praying for this nightmare to end. Morning with Tea Finally, a perfect morning. A well-deserved official leave. Honestly, I wasn’t in the state to work anymore—after all the stress of audits and year-end tasks, I was completely drained. It was 8:00 AM, and I sat down with a steaming cup of tea and a book, savoring this rare peaceful moment. Usually, even weekends don’t feel like a break because my lovely mom makes sure to assign me all the pending household tasks. I never understand why she waits for me to do them—she could easily take care of some herself, and even Seema Didi could help. But no, she waits, and in the end, it’s all on me. By the way, Seema Didi is the backbone of our family. Without her, I can’t even imagine how the Gupta household would function. She’s our caretaker, homemaker, and the glue that holds everything together. Anyway, back to my day. Since I was already feeling productive, I decided to start arranging my clothes. At the same time, I was mentally planning my night out with my cousin and selecting an outfit for the evening. But OMG—sorting my wardrobe felt like a full-fledged battle! It took me nearly three hours to get everything in order. Exhausted, I turned to my bed—my one true love. Feeling blessed to finally have a moment to rest, I took a step toward it, ready to sink into its comfort. But just as I was about to sit down— Ring ring! My mom called again. This time, she wanted me to clean the living room and put everything in its proper place. Uff! My mom is going to be the death of me! Lately, she acts just like my boss at work. And after all the cleaning? No appreciation, of course—just like my office boss! I swear, I think God created these two at the same time. A tiny mistake on His part. But today, I wasn’t going to take any risks. I had to obey all instructions without argument because I really wanted to go out with my cousin tonight. So, I silently completed the cleaning in an hour. By the time I was done, it was 1:00 PM, and I suddenly realized—I had been so caught up in overthinking that I forgot to eat breakfast. The delicious aroma from the kitchen snapped me back to reality. Mom and Seema Didi were cooking something amazing, and the scent alone made my stomach grumble in anticipation. As I walked into the kitchen, the rich aroma of sizzling spices wrapped around me like a warm hug. My stomach growled in protest—I had officially entered the starving phase. Mom and Seema Didi were working in perfect sync, like two contestants in a high-stakes cooking show. The way they moved—the chopping, the stirring, the flipping—was pure coordination. I, on the other hand, was just their audience, waiting for my moment to pounce on the food. I leaned against the doorframe, my voice dripping with curiosity. "Sooo... what's cooking?" Mom barely looked up. "Aloo paratha, chole, and some paneer." Oh. My. God. I gasped dramatically. "You're making paneer? Voluntarily? Is everything okay? Are we celebrating something?!" Mom shot me a look. "Yes. We’re celebrating how my daughter conveniently forgets to do half the things I ask her to do." Ouch. That one hit home. Seema Didi smirked, clearly enjoying my suffering. "Come on, Mom. I was mentally preparing myself for all the tasks. That counts, right?" I grinned, hoping my charm would work. She raised an eyebrow. "No. It does not. Now, make yourself useful—set the table." I sighed like I was being asked to move a mountain but obeyed. I had no choice—I needed to stay in Mom’s good books if I wanted my night out to happen. Just as I finished placing the plates, my phone buzzed. I fished it out of my pocket and saw my cousin’s name flash on the screen. Cousin: “Yo, are we still on for tonight? Or is your mom going to come up with some last-minute excuse to trap you at home again? 😂” I smirked, already knowing how this was going to play out. Me: “Still on. But let’s pray she doesn’t find a reason to cancel my plans. You know how she is—one unwashed dish, and suddenly I’m under house arrest.” I hit send and turned back to my food, only to find Mom staring at me suspiciously. Uh-oh. "Who are you messaging?" she asked. I gulped. "Uh… work stuff!" Mom narrowed her eyes. "Work stuff? On a holiday?" I nodded quickly. "Yeah, you know how it is. Bosses are worse than moms." She didn't look convinced, but thankfully, she didn’t push further. I let out a silent breath of relief. Finally, the food was ready. The golden, crispy parathas, the spicy chole, and the creamy paneer—all sitting gloriously on the table. I was ready to devour everything. But just as I reached for a paratha, Mom's voice rang out like a judge delivering a final verdict. "Wait." I froze. What now?! She pointed at the kitchen sink. "Wash the dishes first." I blinked. "Excuse me?" "You heard me. Dishes first, food later." A dramatic gasp escaped my lips. "Mom, this is emotional torture. Do you know how weak I am right now?" Seema Didi burst out laughing. "You should’ve eaten breakfast." I shot her a betrayed look. Et tu, Seema Didi? But there was no point in arguing. If I wanted to secure my night out, I had to play by the rules. So, with a very exaggerated sigh, I dragged myself to the sink like a tragic hero accepting his fate. Mom smiled victoriously. "Good girl. Now, hurry up before the food gets cold." The things I do for freedom. The Battle for Freedom I scrubbed the last plate with the determination of a warrior finishing a long, exhausting battle. The kitchen sink was finally empty, my hands were pruney, and my stomach was throwing a full-blown protest. I turned to my mom, hoping for some appreciation. Maybe a “Wow, you’re so responsible, beta” or at least a nod of approval. Nothing. Instead, she casually said, “Now wipe the counter and sweep the floor.” I almost dropped the plate. What did I ever do to deserve this?! I decided to try the classic guilt-trip strategy. “Mom, I’m starving. If I don’t eat now, I might faint. Then how will I finish your work? Think about it.” She didn’t even flinch. “Then eat fast and get back to work.” I groaned dramatically, but I knew resistance was useless. At this point, my mom could give my office boss some serious competition. Finally, I sat down and took my first bite of paratha. Heaven. The crispy edges, the buttery softness, the spicy paneer—it was pure love. For a moment, all my worries disappeared. Then, my phone buzzed again. I picked it up and saw a message from my cousin. Cousin: "Change of plans! We’re going somewhere fun. Get ready for an adventure. 😉" I raised an eyebrow. Adventure? That could mean anything—from a late-night drive to something totally reckless. My cousin wasn’t exactly known for ‘calm and responsible’ plans. I quickly typed back: Me: "What do you mean? Where are we going?" Cousin: "It’s a surprise. Just wear something cool. Pick you up at 8!" Uh-oh. This was risky. Mom was already suspicious of my night out, and if she found out this wasn’t a simple café visit but something more... well, goodbye social life. I needed to be strategic. I casually cleared my throat. "Mom, so about my night out... I’ll be leaving at 7:30. Just for a little while." She didn’t even look up from her plate. "Back by 10." I nearly choked on my food. "10?! MOM! That’s so early! Even Cinderella got until midnight!" She gave me the classic Mom Glare™. "Do I look like Cinderella’s fairy godmother to you?" Ugh. This was going to be tough. Plan B: Win Seema Didi’s support. I turned to her, giving her my best help-me-please look. "Seema Didi, don’t you think I should get some freedom? I work so hard, na?" She smirked, enjoying the drama. "Hmm… depends. What’s in it for me?" I gasped. "Traitor!" She laughed. "Okay, okay, I’ll help. But you have to promise to bring me some chocolate when you come back." "Done!" I said immediately. Small price to pay for freedom. Seema Didi turned to Mom and said in the sweetest voice, "Aunty, she’s been working so hard. Let her enjoy for a little longer. She’s responsible, na?" Mom sighed. "Fine. 11:30. That’s final." YES! Victory! I grinned at Seema Didi. "You’re my favorite person ever." She winked. "I know." With my curfew slightly extended, I rushed to my room to pick the perfect outfit. If my cousin said ‘adventure,’ I needed to be prepared. What exactly had I just signed up for? The Great Escape With my slightly extended curfew, I rushed to my room, flung open my wardrobe, and stared at my clothes like they held the answers to life’s biggest mysteries. "What do you even wear for a mystery adventure?" I muttered to myself. Too fancy, and I’d regret it if we ended up somewhere casual. Too casual, and I’d hate it if we landed at a fancy place. Ugh! The struggle was real. After ten minutes of dramatic indecision, I settled on my classic go-to: jeans, a cute top, and sneakers. Because let’s be real—heels and adventures don’t mix. As I finished getting ready, my phone buzzed again. Cousin: “I’m here. Come fast! And don’t tell your mom too many details. Just in case. 😜” I rolled my eyes. Too late for that. But he was right—keeping things vague was probably my best chance at escaping smoothly. I grabbed my bag, took a deep breath, and stepped out of my room. "Where are you going?" Mom asked, eyeing me suspiciously from the couch. Casual. Act casual. "Just out, Mom. You know, café, some shopping, maybe a drive…" I trailed off, keeping my tone as breezy as possible. She raised an eyebrow. "Shopping? With your cousin? He hates shopping." Busted. I let out a nervous laugh. "Haha… yeah, well… things change?" She folded her arms. "Don’t do anything crazy." Me? Crazy? Never. I gave her my best innocent smile, grabbed my keys, and practically ran out before she could ask more questions. Plot Twist: The Plan is… INSANE As soon as I hopped into the car, my cousin grinned. "You’re late." I rolled my eyes. "Blame my mom. Now tell me—where exactly are we going?" He smirked. "Okay, so don’t freak out…" I immediately started freaking out. "Oh my God. What did you do?" "Nothing yet," he said, laughing. "But we’re going to a night trek just outside the city." I blinked. "A what?!" "A trek! You know—hiking, stars, bonfire, the whole adventure vibe." I stared at him. "Are you insane? Mom barely let me out, and now you want to drag me up a mountain in the middle of the night? Do I look like Bear Grylls to you?!" He laughed. "Relax, it's a popular spot! Other people will be there too. It’s totally safe. And before you say no—remember, you owe me for helping you sneak out last month." I groaned. He had a point. "Fine. But if I get eaten by a wild animal, I’m haunting you." "Deal," he said, grinning as he sped up. I leaned back in my seat, shaking my head. This is either going to be the best night of my life… or a total disaster. Either way, I was in for a ride.