"Fourteen per cent of the current startups in Bangalore are focused on Fin-tech (Financial Technologies), In Bangalore, they are quite a few startups focusing on new applications, processes, products, or business models in the financial services industry. Our Government knows that you are a pioneer in many new financial operations which have become very successful and incorporated into the mainstream. We are very happy to have a company like 'Mumbai Bulls' set up a headquarters for its IT (Information Technology) wing in Bangalore..." a middle-aged woman who was clad in a sari, exuding a dignified aura, spoke with a young woman who listened attentively with a bright smile.
The young woman had a unique charm around her. Her frame was petite and fragile looking. Her dark brown eyes sparkled with intellect as she sat in a composed manner. She would smile from time to time as she discussed the state policies and incentives available in the Financial sector.
Maahi wore a brown check & plaid knots trouser set with lined, flared pants and tie-knot at the waist which brought out her thin, delicate waist. The colour of her clothes matched perfectly with her eyes. Her pitch-black hair was long and was left loose as they rested on her shoulder in waves. She wore a set of miracle plate diamond stud earrings, which looked like a flower with geometric petals. The heart of the flower was a diamond, set on a miracle plate, that flowed to form three fancy petals.
Warm sunlight flooded the office room which was decorated simply and elegantly. Though the office furniture looked simple, people with discerning eyes would be shocked with the luxury hidden beneath this simplicity. The whole room and furniture was just a combination of black and white colours with no other colours. They were two kinds of very diverse feelings one experienced when they saw this setup. Black can be unexciting and white can be mind-numbing, but their classic combination is an ageless duo that is simple, unsophisticated yet bold.
The walls and the book racks or cabinets were completely white whereas the ceiling was designed with straight black and white stripes. Two sides of the room was filled with transparent glass panels for good exposure to sunlight and a beautiful view of a park and a lake greeted once eyes when one looked outside. On the other hand, the furniture in the room was completely black which brought a striking contrast. Maahi's desk was made of honed, absolute black granite supplemented with premium leather office chairs of the same colour.
After a short while, both women stood up as they shook hands. Maahi smiled as she asked, "Ms Vandana, you have a daughter called Anupama, right?"
The mature woman's face changed a little as if she was asked an unpleasant question. But her expression became normal immediately as she answered, "I do have a daughter named Anupama, is there something you wish to tell me about her?"
Maahi shook her head as she said with a dejected expression, "It's nothing actually, just that I am a very good friend of her. I haven't seen her in a few days, so I kind of miss her."
Ms Vandana's face changed even more when she heard that the daughter of her whom she wished that she could forget had such a friend. She smiled as she said, "Oh, Anu is busy with her 11th-grade internal exams and other assignments these days. I will ask her to meet you as soon as possible. Its good to know that you and my daughter are friends. It would have made many things easier if I only knew this before."
Maahi also nodded and sent the Information Technology minister of the state away politely. Maahi's smiling face was replaced with a cool face as she scoffed, "a typical politician who wants to use my image to amplify her political mileage. She, as a mother, does not know that her daughter is in twelfth grade. Elder sister Qaima, I never thought I would see such people. I am starting to pity that Anupama a little. I thought I would play with her for a few days using her mother but I am having second thoughts now."
"Well, there are all kinds of people in society. Anyway, why are we discussing about other people's problems as if we don't have our share of hardships?" a bespectacled woman with scorching looks and stunning curves dressed in a grey peplum trouser set, which was sleeveless, walked from behind as she pushed a big pile of files into Maahi's arms grudgingly, "take these files and approve them after checking them clearly." Maahi pouted her lips and made a pitiful expression as her shoulders weighed down while looking at these files.
Qaima expression did not soften as she took a jibe, "who wanted to change their main office from Mumbai to Bangalore? Do you know how much complications one has to face when moving the company from one state to another? I had to take care of lengthy, exhausting negotiations with governments of both the states for the required permissions and clearances.
" I had to take care of this office building, employees and their residences & transportation. Do you know how many highly qualified employees we lost because of your impulsive decision of changing cities? Do you have the least bit of feeling that our company is called 'Mumbai Bulls' for a reason?"
"Do you know how our clientele's confidence on us had taken a hit because of your decision of changing the main office of a financial corporation from the financial capital of India to Bangalore? All this for a brat who doesn't want to meet you or even see you. Hmph..."
Maahi did not refute as she stood there acting like a girl, who was caught stealing cookies, in front of a mother. She knew that there will be quite a few significant repercussions for taking this decision which will be reflected in their company's performance. But, this did not stop her from moving to Bangalore as a 'business' for her was just a way of ensuring Aditya's future, nothing more.
She chose this field because she was naturally good at it, if she had a talent in other fields then she would have chosen that field for making money. She was not passionate about this, it was just a medium for making money for her. But Qaima failed to understand her obsession, hence the minor conflict. But Qaima was the only person who had the right to speak in this manner to Maahi because Maahi knew the sacrifices Qaima made to remain beside her.
Usually, Qaima would not utilize this privilege but she was feeling frustrated from all the hectic work she had to for the past month. Qaima was prepared to suffer even more if only she was doing it for Maahi, her real pain came from the fact that Maahi placed such high importance on a person who did not appreciate her even a bit. Every sleepless night, she spent going over these files, increased her anger on that brat. She could not do anything but would scold him many times to vent her anger.
Qaima expression softened when she saw Maahi's expression. She knew that this boss of hers was a qualified actor but still she could help but fall for this act. Qaima snorted lightly as she said, "I have already checked them, you just have to sign."
Maahi's face bloomed as she smiled brightly and ran lightly to the desk and placed them as she started to sign in the end. This was the level of trust between these two women. When she was almost done, the chief of security staff barged in as he requested, "Madam, there is a security threat to you, I have to ask you move towards the emergency exit quickly."
Qaima was about to rebuke him for barging in without permission but was stopped with a look from Maahi. Maahi's eyes became sharp when she heard these words as she put her pen down, she resumed her demeanour as a competent boss as she asked coolly, "What happened?" Her expression did not waver and her words and expression instilled a sense of calmness in the chief.
He calmed down and said, "a kid had come near the entrance, ten minutes ago. Our security personnel near the entrance stopped him as this kid was dressed as if he had just got off the bed, he was not even wearing any footwear. When asked about his purpose, that kid said that he wanted to meet Madam and that he was her younger brother. The personnel did not believe it and warned him to leave. But that kid not only did not leave but tried to force himself in and so the security personnel tried to stop him and then..."
The chief of security did not notice the change in Maahi's face when she heard the words 'elder sister' and 'younger brother'. Even Qaima's expression changed to bewilderment when she heard these words. When the chief was about to continue, Maahi stood up swiftly as she asked, "Where is he now? don't you dare hurt him."
The Chief was shocked at Maahi's drastic change but he bitterly smiled as he thought, 'we could not hurt him even if we tried, there are no one else we can afford to send anymore.' he understood that this person seemed to have a relationship with his Madam. He got the CCTV station to link the relevant surveillance camera to the screen in Maahi's room so that she could identify the person.
When the screen was turned on, Qaima's and Maahi's expression changed but it was not the same expression. Qaima was shocked when she saw tens of people rolling in pain on the ground around a thin, slender figure who sat on a car's bonnet as he waved at the camera with a bright smile. Maahi was also shocked but not at the sight of fallen figures but when she saw that Aditya had come to meet her on his initiative. Her heart jumped like a fawn as she wanted nothing but to run and hug him tightly so that he couldn't go away even if he wanted.
But her heart cooled when she thought how she had decided to stay away from Aditya on her own as she felt that she might harm him by being near him. Her lips trembled as her heart ached when she saw Aditya, she did not have the mental strength to send him away. She controlled her emotions as she said, "let him come in and don't you dare take any action against him. I will compensate your men many times more than required, you don't have to worry."
She had decided that after she finds out the reason he had come, she would help him and send him away without much delay. She did not think she would be able to control her emotions for a long time. 'He must have come across a big issue for him to come directly, Taarini did not say anything. Does she also not know?' Maahi thought as she waited restlessly. When she saw that Qaima was still here, Maahi said, "Elder sister Qaima, could you transfer these files away to the respective departments?"
Qaima snorted as she said, "Why can't you just say to leave you and that brat alone for a while?" she lifted those files and left. Even Qaima's heart was a little chaotic.
Before Maahi could prepare herself mentally, the door was pushed open as Aditya with unkempt hair, wearing a navy blue round neck t-shirt and black lounge shorts walked barefooted towards Maahi. Maahi was surprised when she saw Aditya's messy appearance. She became a little anxious as she did not know what could cause her little brother to even ignore the fact that he was barefooted and come find her. It must be something very important.
Maahi stood up and asked, "What happened Adi?"
Aditya did not answer as he stopped and took a good look at Maahi. His heart started beating normally after a long time. His restless soul finally calmed down when he saw Maahi hale and healthy. He knew that the scenes he saw were in the dream world and not real but still, the pain of the 'other' Aditya lingered in his heart. He experienced the pain of losing Maahi, the guilt of dragging things out, for failing to understand the torment that Maahi had gone through. For the first time, he felt happy and sad, at once, that he was seeing these dreams. They gave him these bitter memories which plunged him into grief but also bestowed a rare second chance which was not available to any other.
Aditya did not speak as scenes from the dream flashed in his eyes and the last words of Maahi reverberated in his ears 'It was never going to work out between us anyway, if I don't assume as such, I am not sure I would have the courage to take this leap, Adi. Goodbye...'
Maahi's face turned anxious as she saw Aditya remain silent. She stood up and walked near Aditya and held his arm, "What happened Adi? Come, let your elder sister know what's the issue."
Aditya lowered his head to look at Maahi as he wrapped his arms around her and hugged her tightly as if he did not want anything to be present between them. Maahi could not utter a word as her pupils trembled and her lips quivered. She did not know what had happened yet but her heart told her that whatever happened, it was good.