UNIVERSITY ARC
As I walked back to my room with my friends, I experienced a swirl of emotions. I felt relieved that my confrontation with Geetha was finally over; it had been a tense and challenging interaction. However, I was also anxious about the uncertain future that lay ahead. My friends noticed my unusual quietness and made attempts to lift my spirits, but I understood that I had to keep my secret safe from everyone, including them. I was feeling a lot of anger towards Geetha. I knew I could easily deal with her, but I chose not to. I wanted to teach her a lesson she would remember for the rest of her life.
The situation was complicated by the presence of many important individuals and V.I.P.s. This made my circumstances even riskier—actually, it posed a significant threat to my plans. In just a few days, I was scheduled to meet with key members of my company and the board of directors. There was a possibility that at least one of them might show up at Geetha's party, which could complicate matters further. The thought worried me deeply. I wished it were merely a baseless worry, but the stakes felt too high.
I decided that starting today, I needed to be exceptionally cautious. My past experiences taught me that being remembered often led to trouble, which I did not want for my friends. I genuinely hoped this wouldn't become an issue.
When Keshava kept his silence and lay on his bed, I turned to my remaining friends.
|"Hey guys, I'm really tired. I think I'll just rest for a bit."|
They nodded in understanding, sensing that I needed some space, and I excused myself to find a quiet corner in the room.
As I lay down, my mind kept racing with thoughts about my situation. I recognized that I needed to be judicious about whom I confided in regarding my secret. Trust was a delicate matter, and I couldn't afford to jeopardize my friendships or put anyone in harm's way.
At that moment, my phone buzzed, breaking through my thoughts. It was a text from a person I trust the most. They informed me.
|"Sir, the arrangements are made. You can access your gold card now."|
A sense of relief washed over me at this news. I quickly replied to them to confirm the arrangements, my fingers moving swiftly across the screen. Their immediate response reassured me:
| "Confirmed, sir." |
With the access to my gold card, I could utilize my family's resources without the worry of being detected, which opened up many strategic possibilities for me. I began considering how best to leverage my wealth and influence.
While lying in bed, I reflected on the expansive empire my family had built. The Vardhan Group was renowned and associated with luxury and excellence across various sectors. However, I understood that with such significant power came considerable responsibility. I needed to remain grounded and not let my newfound status cloud my judgment or compromise my values. My thoughts also turned to my loyal friends, who had supported me through various challenges. I wanted to find ways to assist them without revealing my true identity, preserving their safety and my secret.
However, tomorrow presented another hurdle—I needed to attend the process for my gold card. My father had set up an account at the largest billionaire bank named "Nexus Silicon Bank"
According to my research, Nexus Silicon Bank operates in over 60 countries with a major presence in financial hubs. Its total net worth or total assets are nearly 1.5 trillion as per this year.
I pondered how I would navigate my entry into such a prestigious bank. As my mind swirled with various ideas and future possibilities, I gradually drifted off to sleep, eager to embark on this new journey as Manoj Vardhan, still considering the challenges ahead.
The next day, I woke up early and got ready. I picked up a taxi and went to the bank. The building was huge, and I went through security checks before entering. The interior looked like a famous hotel, but everyone was dressed in fancy clothes. They stared at me like I was odd, but I enjoyed the anonymity, hiding my secret and looking poor. It was amusing to see their reactions. If they knew who I was, they'd be shocked. Wait, I sound crazy! Okay, let's continue.
It was a long way for the V.I.P section. I saw many people waiting in the general line, but I headed straight to the VIP section for gold card users. Suddenly, my heart skipped a beat. I saw Deepika, a classmate. What was she doing here? Suddenly she looked at me and was surprised.
"Hey Manoj, what are you doing here? For your own sake, get out of here. If anyone sees you, you'll lose your dignity."
What should I do now? I was taken aback, unsure what to say or do. I stood frozen, unsure how to react. Deepika's words hit some, and I realized I wasn't ready for this unexpected encounter. My mind raced with thoughts of how to keep my secret. I took a deep breath and decided to stay calm.
|"Hey Deepika, I'm just here for some... uh... personal banking stuff. Ha yes…some personal banking stuff. You know how it is."|
I am trying to sound casual. But Deepika raised an eyebrow, looking skeptical. she questioned me. Her tone firm but curious.
"Personal banking stuff? In the VIP section? Come on, Manoj, don't lie. What are you really doing here?"
Deepika's gaze felt piercing, as if she could see right through me. I knew I had to think quickly, or my cover would be blown. Oh god! Please save me.