UNIVERSITY ARC
The day had finally arrived, and with it, a wave of nervous anticipation. I woke up early, my mind already racing. Before anything else, I needed to gather my thoughts and plan my approach. A backup plan was essential; I couldn't afford any missteps today.
My destination was "The Royal Meridian," the crown jewel among the country's luxury hotels, and a place reserved for the elite. This was where the day's meeting would take place, and I had no intention of being unprepared. Without waking my friends, I quietly booked a taxi and slipped out of the hostel.
As the morning sun began to rise, my friends stirred and noticed my absence. Keshava, even the observant one, was the first to voice his concern.
|"Hey, Ramu, have you seen Manoj anywhere?"|
|"No, Keshava, I've checked the entire hostel, even the bathrooms. He's probably gone out for some work."|
Meanwhile, Suresh was still blissfully asleep, undisturbed by the morning's events. His friends, now somewhat irritated, attempted to wake him. When he finally responded, his voice was groggy and indifferent.
|"Let me sleep, Keshava. Don't bother me."|
Ramu, frustrated by Suresh's laziness, nudged him harder. Keshava sighed, voicing the thought that had been bothering him since last night.
|"Ramu, yesterday's unexpected events must have unsettled Manoj. He was smiling on the outside, but who knows what he's really feeling?"|
Suresh, still half-asleep, mumbled his thoughts.
|"Maybe he's gone out for his part-time work. It's not the first time he's left without telling us. Don't worry."|
While they speculated about my whereabouts, I found myself stuck in traffic. The roads were unusually crowded, with police officers stationed at every corner. Curious, I asked the taxi driver what was going on.
|"Brother, what's happening here? Why are there so many police officers?"|
The driver replied calmly.
|"No worries, sir. A VIP is passing through this area. The higher authorities have deployed extra security."|
I couldn't help but smirk. The excessive security was likely for me, though they didn't know it. As we approached a checkpoint, the police meticulously inspected every vehicle. The level of scrutiny was impressive, a testament to the importance of today's meeting.
Eventually, we arrived at The Royal Meridian. The hotel was a marvel of modern design, exuding opulence and cutting-edge technology. As I approached the entrance, a stern-looking watchman stopped me.
|"Sir, may I see your invitation?"|
I hesitated, caught off guard. No one had mentioned needing an invitation.
|"Invitation? I'm sorry, I don't have a card. I was invited by—"|
Before I could finish, the watchman cut me off.
|"This area is restricted today. The event is hosted by a prominent figure, Mr. Surya Raj. Without an invitation, I can't let you in."|
His tone was firm but respectful.
|"If you'd like to confirm, you can contact Mr. Surya Raj."•
He quickly called Surya Raj, who, to my surprise, came rushing down within minutes. The moment he saw me, his face flushed with anger, and he yelled at the watchman.
|"Do you even have a brain? This entire event is happening because of him!"|
The watchman's face paled, and he immediately turned to me, bowing in apology.
|"Sir, please forgive me. I didn't realize who you were. I'm truly sorry."|
I smiled, reassuring him.
|"You did nothing wrong. In fact, I respect your diligence. You treated me with courtesy even though I didn't look like someone important. Keep up the good work."|
The watchman's expression softened, relief washing over him. It was heartening to see that integrity still existed in people like him.
Surya Raj then introduced himself formally, his tone filled with respect.
|"Sir, my name is Surya Raj. Thank you for coming all this way at my request. I hope I didn't inconvenience you."|
I returned his greeting with a polite smile.
|"Not at all, Mr. Surya Raj. It's a pleasure to meet you."|
After our brief exchange, he guided me into the hotel, mentioning that the meeting would take place on the top floor. Just as we were about to proceed, he received a phone call.
|"Sir, with your permission, I need to take this call. I'll join you shortly."|
|"Of course, go ahead,"|
As I waited, I overheard guests talking about a popular spot on the 12th floor, known for its stunning decorations. My curiosity piqued, I decided to take a quick detour. I stepped into the elevator, and as it ascended, I found myself lost in thought. When the doors opened, I was greeted by a striking vision—a woman dressed in a pure red outfit, her beauty reminiscent of a rose blooming under the moonlight.
Distracted by her presence, I failed to notice the lift's doors closing behind me. As I turned to leave, I accidentally bumped into her. The collision was more awkward than painful, but I could see the annoyance flash across her face.
|"Hey, idiot! Watch where you're going!"|
She snapped, her voice sharp with irritation. Before I could apologize, she slapped me across the face. Despite her slim frame, the force of her hand surprised me. Stunned, I watched as she stormed off, muttering insults under her breath. Rubbing my cheek, I headed to the nearest washroom. The mirror reflected the red imprint of her hand on my face—a mark of my carelessness.
Trying to hide the evidence, I splashed water on my face. Suddenly with my phone ringing, I came to this world. It was Keshava.
|"Hello, Manoj, where are you?"|
|"I had some work outside. Sorry, I didn't have time to inform you."|
Keshava, ever perceptive, immediately noticed the change in my tone.
|"Manoj, you sound off. What happened?"|
With a sigh, I recounted the incident. Keshava couldn't help but laugh, his amusement echoing through the line. After a few more words of sympathy, we ended the call, and I steeled myself for the meeting ahead.
Finally, I made my way to the top floor, where Surya Raj had said the meeting would be held. As I approached the large doors, the bodyguards in black suits standing outside saluted me and opened the doors. Inside, the room was filled with people—hundreds, it seemed—all waiting for my arrival.
The moment I entered, the room erupted into applause. Surya Raj stepped forward, addressing the crowd with pride.
"Ladies and gentlemen, it is my honour to introduce the successor of the entire Vardhan family, the eldest son who is now ready to lead the Vardhan Group into the future."
As his words echoed through the hall, I felt the weight of responsibility settle on my shoulders.
The crowd started murmuring to themselves.
"My goodness! He is the son who hide for nearly ten years."
"He was very handsome, right? Can I have a selfie with him?"
"Why did he dress so normal? I can't understand him."
"Can he manage our company? He looked so young."
.
.
.
.
After the introductions, Surya Raj guided me through a series of formalities, introducing me to the senior board members and directors of the company. Then, he motioned toward a woman who had been standing quietly in the corner, her face partially hidden.
|"Sir, this is Aarna. She may look young, but she is highly knowledgeable and talented. We are planning to appoint her as your assistant."|
A faint smile flickered across my face.
|"So, your name is Aarna? It's a pleasure to meet you."|
She seemed nervous, her words faltering as she tried to respond.
|"S-sir, it's an honor to meet you too. I'm truly sorry for earlier..."|
Before she could finish, I cut her off gently.
|"No, Aarna, the fault was mine. You have nothing to apologize for."|
Surya Raj looked puzzled, glancing between us.
|"Sir, do you know each other? Did something happen?"|
I hesitated, not wanting to make a scene.
|"No! We just happened to meet a few minutes ago. That's all."
A hint of relief in his voice.
|"Ah, I see. Well then, let's move to the dining hall, sir."|
We proceeded to lunch, where we discussed various matters over a lavish meal. The food was exquisite, but my mind was preoccupied with a lingering question. Before leaving, I decided to voice it.
|"Mr. Surya Raj, I have one last question. Why was it decided that I need an assistant?"|
Surya Raj seemed uncomfortable, unsure of how to respond.
|"It was a directive from the chairman, sir. We couldn't—"|
Sensing his discomfort, Aarna stepped in.
|"Sir, the decision was made because you're new to the business world. The chairman thought it would be beneficial to have someone assist you."|
I considered her words carefully.
|"I see. But I'm currently focused on my studies. I wasn't planning on getting involved in the business just yet."|
Surya Raj's expression grew tense.
| "Sir, it's the chairman's direct order. We can't go against it. He insisted on appointing a skilled assistant as soon as he learned you would be meeting the board members."|
After a moment of contemplation, I realized there was no other choice but to accept the situation. I nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation.
|"Oh! So it was my grandfather's order. I see. If he wishes, then I will happily accept his request."|
Initially, I had only come here at the request of Ravi uncle. However, upon deeper reflection, I understood that Surya Raj was the one who had helped me earlier, and now, my grandfather himself had chosen to involve personally in this matter. Considering both of these factors, I couldn't refuse. The sense of responsibility and duty toward my family and those who had supported me guided my decision. It wasn't just an obligation—it was a commitment to uphold the values and relationships that mattered most to me.