__________@UTHOR's POV:~~
Anaya could feel the tension building as she and Kunal made their way through the crowded streets towards the café. The weight of the bad reviews hung over her like a cloud, and she couldn't shake the nervousness gnawing at her. This wasn't just any customer they were meeting—this was one of the most vocal critics of Tech High's latest product, a virtual assistant device that was supposed to revolutionize the market. Instead, the customer had blasted them with a scathing review, and it had spread like wildfire online.
As they entered the upscale café, the atmosphere was calm, the scent of freshly brewed coffee filling the air. Anaya spotted the man they were supposed to meet—a well-dressed, middle-aged individual sitting at a corner table. His appearance screamed wealth and arrogance. He didn't even glance up from his phone as they approached.
Kunal took the lead, walking with his usual composed demeanor. Anaya followed closely behind, trying to steady her nerves. She had been trained to handle difficult situations, but this felt different. Something about the customer's attitude from his review suggested he wasn't going to be easy to deal with.
"Mr. Kapoor?" Kunal greeted, his voice polite but firm. The man finally looked up, his eyes scanning Kunal briefly before resting on Anaya. His gaze lingered a little too long, and a smirk crept onto his face. It made her uncomfortable.
"Yes, yes, I know who you are," Mr. Kapoor said dismissively, waving his hand. "You're from Tech High. Let's get this over with."
Anaya took a deep breath and sat down opposite him. "Thank you for taking the time to meet with us, Mr. Kapoor. We're here to understand your concerns with the device and hopefully find a resolution that satisfies you."
He barely looked at her as he sipped his coffee. "Resolution? Hah. Your product is a piece of garbage, and your company clearly doesn't know how to handle customers."
Anaya bit her lip, staying calm. "I'm sorry you feel that way. Can you tell us exactly what issues you've experienced with the device? Maybe we can help troubleshoot them."
Mr. Kapoor scoffed. "Troubleshoot? You want me to troubleshoot after your lousy product failed me repeatedly? I bought it expecting top-notch performance, and what do I get? Glitches, bugs, and complete incompetence."
"We understand your frustration," Kunal interjected smoothly, trying to steer the conversation. "Our team has been working on updates, and we'd be happy to replace your device if necessary."
"Replace? You think that's going to fix everything?" Mr. Kapoor snapped, his voice rising. "Your entire company is a joke. You can't even make a decent product, and yet you have the audacity to send someone like her to handle this?" His eyes shifted to Anaya, his tone dripping with disdain.
Anaya clenched her fists under the table, trying to keep her composure. "Mr. Kapoor, we're genuinely here to help resolve the issue. I understand your concerns—"
"Understand?" he interrupted, leaning forward with a sneer. "You think you understand? What would a girl like you know about running a business? All you women at Tech High are probably there just to look pretty and serve coffee, not actually solve problems."
Anaya's patience snapped. She stood up, anger bubbling inside her. "That's enough! You have no right to talk to me—or anyone—like that. We're here to help you, but if you're going to insult—"
"Anaya," Kunal's voice cut through her frustration, sharp but calm. He placed a hand on her arm, gently urging her to sit down. It was the first time she'd seen Kunal like this—protective, yet still in control.
Kunal's face darkened as he turned his attention to Mr. Kapoor. His calm demeanor had shifted slightly, a cold edge creeping into his voice. "Mr. Kapoor, we came here out of respect for you as a customer, but I will not tolerate any disrespect towards my team or my company."
The arrogant smirk on Mr. Kapoor's face faltered. Kunal continued, his voice now carrying a quiet thunder. "If you have a genuine issue with our product, we're more than happy to resolve it. But if your only purpose is to insult and make baseless accusations, then this conversation ends here."
Mr. Kapoor opened his mouth to respond, but Kunal leaned forward slightly, his gaze intense. "I suggest you reconsider your approach. You can continue with the baseless threats and insults, but know that it won't get you anywhere. Or, we can work together to resolve the issue. Your choice."
There was a long pause. Mr. Kapoor, who had clearly expected to bully his way through the meeting, seemed taken aback by Kunal's quiet strength. He fumbled for words, clearly not expecting to be challenged like this.
Anaya, still seething inside, watched as Kunal expertly handled the situation. It was the first time she had seen him stand up for her—and not just her, but for every woman in their company.
After what felt like an eternity, Mr. Kapoor finally muttered, "Fine. But I'm not taking down my review until I see results."
Kunal nodded, his expression unchanged. "We'll get the results. I'll personally ensure that your device is fixed, and you'll be the first to test the new update. But until then, you will show my team and my company the respect they deserve."
Without another word, Mr. Kapoor stood up and left the café, his arrogance deflated but his ego still bruised. Anaya watched him go, her heart still pounding from the encounter.
As soon as the door closed behind Mr. Kapoor, she let out a breath she didn't realize she had been holding. "I can't believe he—"
"Let it go," Kunal said softly, standing up from the table. "Some people thrive on making others feel small. Don't give him that satisfaction."
Anaya looked at Kunal, seeing him in a new light. He wasn't just the aloof senior she had thought he was—there was something deeper, a sense of responsibility and quiet strength that she hadn't noticed before.
"Thank you," she said, her voice quiet but sincere.
Kunal simply nodded, slipping his hands into his pockets. "Let's head back to the office. We've got work to do."
As they walked out of the café together, Anaya couldn't help but feel a newfound respect for Kunal. It wasn't just about how he had handled the situation—it was about how he had stood up for her, for his team, and for Tech High. She had a lot to learn from him, not just as a senior, but as someone who knew how to navigate difficult situations with grace and authority.
The incident had left her shaken, but it had also lit a fire within her. This was just the beginning, and she was more determined than ever to prove herself in the male-dominated world of Tech High.
____________
As Anaya and Kunal returned to the office after the tense encounter at the café, the familiar hum of the department's chatter filled the air. The marketing and sales teams were busy, fingers tapping away on keyboards, while discussions buzzed around the room. Anaya could feel the weight of the meeting lingering, but she was also trying to push it aside. There was still work to do, and she needed to focus.
Pranali spotted them from across the room and immediately walked over, her brow furrowed with concern. "What happened? How did the meeting go?" she asked, her voice low but curious.
Kunal exchanged a glance with Anaya before responding. "Not the most pleasant encounter, but nothing we couldn't handle. Mr. Kapoor wasn't exactly cooperative, but I think we managed to get him to agree to give us a chance to fix things."
Pranali crossed her arms, clearly not surprised. "I figured as much. He's been a problem for a while now, always making unreasonable demands. So, what's his main complaint this time?"
"Same as the reviews he posted," Anaya replied. "He says the device is glitchy, doesn't respond properly, and overall he thinks it's not up to the standards we promised."
"Typical," Pranali sighed. She looked around the room as if weighing her options before turning back to the two of them. "We've had a few similar complaints from other customers. I've been talking with the tech support team, and it seems like this particular batch of devices might have some software issues."
Anaya's mind was already racing. "If that's the case, maybe we should re-test the product, especially the ones from that batch. We need to identify what's wrong before it escalates further."
Kunal nodded but didn't seem entirely convinced. "Testing would help, but that's not going to fix the larger problem right away. These negative reviews are damaging, and the more customers we upset, the worse it gets. Pranali," he paused for a moment, weighing his words, "I think we should pass this problem to the legal team."
Pranali looked up sharply, taken aback. "Legal? Are you sure?"
Kunal nodded firmly. "Yes. Kapoor is already throwing around threats, and with the way he's bad-mouthing us online, this could escalate into something more serious. If he keeps pushing, he could try to stir up more trouble, and I don't think it's worth risking a public battle."
Anaya frowned slightly. "But we should be able to solve this without getting legal involved, shouldn't we? If we can just talk to more customers, maybe we can figure out a solution before it gets to that point."
Kunal gave her a thoughtful look but remained firm. "I get where you're coming from, Anaya, but this isn't just about fixing the device. It's about managing our reputation. Legal needs to be aware of what's happening in case any of these customers try to take legal action or spread false information that could hurt the company."
Pranali nodded, seeing the logic in Kunal's argument. "You're right. If it becomes a legal matter, we need to be prepared. But I agree with Anaya, too. We should still keep trying to resolve the technical issues and talk to the customers who've had problems. After all, our main focus is product development, sales, and ensuring our devices work as they should."
Anaya felt a flicker of relief. At least they weren't completely abandoning the idea of fixing the root issue. "Maybe we could divide our efforts. While the legal team handles any potential threats, we can focus on re-testing the product and addressing the software problems. We need to work closely with the coding and processing teams, as well as sales."
Kunal folded his arms, thinking. "That's a good point. If we can identify what's wrong with the code, we can issue an update. And sales can work on maintaining the relationship with the customers who are still on the fence. It's a balancing act."
Pranali smiled slightly. "Looks like we've got a plan, then. I'll speak to the coding team and see if we can prioritize testing the devices from that batch. Anaya, can you work with the customer service team to see if any other complaints have come through that are similar to Kapoor's? We need to understand how widespread this issue is."
Anaya nodded, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. "Absolutely. I'll gather all the reports and see if there's a pattern."
Kunal gave a brief nod, his mind clearly racing through the logistics. "I'll coordinate with sales and make sure we're prepared for any customer backlash. We need to keep them informed but also manage expectations. And Pranali, if the legal team needs any documentation from us, let me know. I'll handle it."
The three of them exchanged glances, the tension from the earlier confrontation slowly dissipating as they each fell into their respective roles. They had a lot of work ahead of them, but at least now, they had a clear strategy.
As the team dispersed, Anaya couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions. The café meeting had been intense, but it had also given her a glimpse of the complexities of working in the corporate world. It wasn't just about solving technical problems; it was about managing people, protecting the company's image, and staying one step ahead of potential crises.
Her thoughts returned to Kunal's firm stance at the café. She hadn't expected him to step in the way he did, but his calm authority had turned the situation around. For the first time, she saw him not just as a senior colleague but as someone who genuinely cared about the company and its people.
As she turned back to her desk, she glanced over at Kunal, who was already deep in discussion with another team member. A small smile tugged at her lips. Maybe working with him wouldn't be so bad after all.
With a deep breath, Anaya sat down, ready to dive into the work ahead.
————————
As Pranali wrapped up her tasks for the day, she glanced over at Anaya, who was still getting accustomed to her new role as an intern. Pranali, confident and assertive, walked over to Anaya's desk with purpose. "Anaya," she said, her tone brokering no argument, "I need you to draft an application request or an approval letter to the Executive Director for a re-test of the device that sold out last month. It's crucial we get this sorted as soon as possible. Make sure it's sent today."
Anaya blinked in surprise, her heart racing. The weight of Pranali's request felt overwhelming, especially since she was still learning the ropes. "Me? But why? I'm new here; I've only been here for a week!" Her voice held a mixture of uncertainty and frustration, the pressure of her new job starting to sink in.
Pranali didn't pause to acknowledge Anaya's concerns. She turned on her heel and walked briskly back to her desk, not looking back. "You should do this, Anaya. It'll be good for you," she called over her shoulder, her words laced with encouragement but also a sense of urgency. "Just get it done."
Left alone at her desk, Anaya sighed deeply, the weight of the request settling heavily on her shoulders. She felt a knot form in her stomach as she turned back to her computer, staring blankly at the screen. The task seemed daunting, and her stomach growled in protest. It was already 6 PM, and she hadn't eaten anything since lunch. Her gaze drifted to her phone, where she briefly contemplated messaging Rudra, her husband, but quickly pushed the thought aside. She didn't want to burden him with her work-related stress.
As she tried to focus on the task at hand, her mind wandered to Rudra. She remembered the way his eyes sparkled when he was passionate about something, how his presence could fill a room with warmth. A soft smile crossed her lips at the thought of him, but it was quickly replaced by a pang of anxiety. Their relationship was still new and fragile, and she often felt a mix of excitement and nervousness whenever she thought of him.
Just then, a peon approached her desk, breaking her train of thought. He placed a small snack and a soft drink in front of her without saying a word, his expression neutral. Anaya looked up, surprised. "Oh!" she exclaimed, her voice a mix of shock and gratitude. The peon merely nodded and walked away, leaving her momentarily stunned.
As she stared at the unexpected treat, a smile crept onto her face. "Thank you, God, for this little miracle," she whispered to herself, not realizing that Rudra had orchestrated the delivery through the staff. He wanted to make sure she was taken care of, especially on a busy day like today.
Feeling a renewed sense of energy, Anaya took a quick bite of her snack—a delicious chocolate bar that melted in her mouth. She savored the taste, allowing it to lift her spirits, and took a sip of the soft drink, the fizzy sweetness invigorating her. She glanced around the office, the soft hum of keyboards and murmurs of her colleagues providing a comforting backdrop to her thoughts.
With her stomach content and a small boost of energy, Anaya returned to the task at hand. She opened a new document and began typing the letter. Her fingers flew over the keys as she poured her thoughts onto the page, balancing professionalism with her own genuine tone. She carefully outlined the reasons for the re-test, emphasizing the importance of quality assurance and customer satisfaction.
As she wrote, she felt a sense of empowerment wash over her. Maybe Pranali's insistence was a blessing in disguise—this was an opportunity to prove herself and show her commitment to the job. The clock ticked away, but she was determined to finish this task. With each word she typed, she became more engrossed, her earlier anxiety fading into the background.
After several minutes, she read through her draft, meticulously checking for any errors and ensuring everything was in order. Satisfied with her work, she took a deep breath and hit the "send" button, feeling a rush of accomplishment. It was a small victory, but it felt significant in her journey as an intern.
As she sat back in her chair, the tension in her shoulders eased. Perhaps being here wouldn't be so bad after all, especially if she had little moments of kindness from those around her. She took another bite of her snack, relishing the flavor, and allowed herself a moment of reflection. Her thoughts drifted back to Rudra, and she smiled again. Maybe he wasn't so far away after all; his support, even from a distance, made her feel a little less alone.
Anaya glanced around the office, a new sense of belonging washing over her. Despite the challenges, she was starting to find her footing. With Rudra's love and the unexpected kindness from her colleagues, she felt more ready to embrace whatever came next.
To be continue....