Dhruv seated on a small, rickety stool at a familiar tea stall in his old locality. The air is cool and calm, a slight breeze carrying the aroma of freshly brewed tea mixed with the comforting smell of fried snacks. Vikas, the tea stall owner, places a steaming cup of tea in front of Dhruv. His face shows concern as he notices the weariness in Dhruv's eyes, still recovering from the events of the previous night.
Vikas (casually): "So...what's with sleeping on the bench, huh? If you couldn't pay the electricity bill or something, you should've just come over to my place. We'd have shared some tea and dinner, and you could've had a proper bed instead of the park bench."
Dhruv takes a sip of his tea, the warmth comforting his tired body, but he says nothing, just offers a weak smile.
Dhruv (with a faint chuckle): "Nah, it wasn't like that. Just…needed some air."
Vikas (raising an eyebrow, unconvinced): "Needed air, huh? And found it in a public park with a bench for a bed? You city folk are something else, man."
Before Dhruv can respond, Vikas's wife, Sunita, steps out of their small home nearby, carrying a plate piled with fresh parathas, pickles, and curd. She smiles warmly as she sets it down in front of Dhruv.
Sunita (cheerfully): "Here you go, Dhruv. Eat up! I made this especially for you."
Dhruv looks down at the generous spread and shakes his head, embarrassed.
Dhruv (politely): "Bhabhi, you didn't have to make so much. I could've had something simple."
Sunita (mock scolding): "Oh, stop it! Do you think I will let you go with just tea on your birthday? What kind of Bhabhi would I be if I didn't feed you properly today?"
Dhruv, taken aback, smiles in surprise.
Dhruv (amused): "Wait, you remembered?"
Sunita (with a playful grin): "Of course, I did. It's not every day we get to celebrate with our favourite guest."
Suddenly, Vikas slaps his forehead dramatically, his eyes widening.
Vikas (with exaggerated shock): "Oh no! Your birthday! I completely forgot! Happy birthday, Dhruv! Forgive me for the late wish."
Dhruv waves him off, laughing lightly at his friend's over-the-top apology.
Dhruv (teasing): "Don't worry, Vikas. I'm not going to hold a grudge over a few minutes."
Just as they share a light moment, Dhruv's phone rings. Glancing at the screen, he sees his parents' number flashing. He puts the phone on speaker and sets it down on the table, signalling to Vikas to keep quiet.
Dhruv's Mom (cheerfully): "Happy birthday, beta!"
Dhruv's Dad: "Happy birthday, son! How's the day treating you?"
Dhruv leans back, slightly uncomfortable with the sudden attention.
Dhruv: "Thanks, Ma, Papa. I'm doing good."
Dhruv's Mom: "Have you had breakfast? What are you eating? Don't tell me you're running around without eating anything."
Dhruv glances at the plate of food in front of him, smiling at the irony.
Dhruv: "No worries, Ma. I'm having a delicious breakfast right now. So, no need to fuss."
His mother, still not convinced, presses further.
Dhruv's Mom: "Really? What are you eating? Show me, na! Video call us!"
Vikas, overhearing the conversation, quickly shakes his head, motioning with his hands that he's in no condition to be seen. He's still in his office shirt from the day before, and Dhruv's current state isn't exactly 'video call' ready either.
Dhruv: "Uh, the network's not too good here, Ma. Video call might cut off. I'll call you properly later, okay?"
Dhruv's Dad (suspiciously): "You're not hiding something from us, are you?"
Dhruv chuckles, trying to keep the mood light.
Dhruv: "Not at all, Papa. Just out for some fresh air. I'll catch up with you both properly later. Don't worry."
With that, Dhruv ends the call, offering Vikas a grateful look.
Vikas (teasing): "Network problem, huh?"
Dhruv shrugs, laughing.
Dhruv: "Sometimes, you've got to get creative."
After enjoying a hearty breakfast at Vikas's tea stall, Dhruv bids his old friend and his wife goodbye, feeling a bit lighter than before. The morning air is crisp as he walks through the familiar streets, heading back to his flat. His thoughts are a bit jumbled, still processing the events of the previous night. As he absentmindedly kicks a small stone on the road, his phone buzzes in his pocket, startling him.
It's Manav.
Dhruv's heart skips a beat, his mind immediately racing to the worst possible conclusion. Did Manav call to fire him because of the blunder? His palms start sweating as he nervously swipes to answer the call.
Dhruv (hesitantly): "H-Hello?"
Manav's voice on the other end is hurried, almost breathless.
Manav: "Dhruv, where are you? Have you left for the office yet?"
Dhruv's anxiety spikes. His mind immediately jumps to the worst-case scenario, and before he can stop himself, he blurts out:
Dhruv (panicked): "No, I haven't… Please, Manav, I know I messed up yesterday, but don't fire me. I'll fix everything—"
Manav cuts him off with an exasperated sigh.
Manav: "What? Fired? Have you gone mad? Who's talking about firing you?"
Dhruv, momentarily stunned, stays silent.
Manav (continuing, with urgency): "Listen, an important client from the U.S. is in town, and our rival company is breathing down their necks, trying to snatch the project. You and Karan need to meet them today. A car will be at your place in 10 minutes."
Dhruv feels a mix of relief and tension. His fear of being laid off is quickly replaced with the pressure of securing the project. He stumbles to find words.
Dhruv (stammering): "O-Okay. What do we need to do exactly?"
Manav (firmly): "Do whatever it takes to make sure we get that project. Impress them, persuade them—whatever you have to do. This is a big deal for the company, Dhruv. If you and Karan nail this, the party's on me. Got it?"
Dhruv swallows hard, the weight of responsibility settling heavily on his shoulders.
Dhruv: "Got it."
Manav (in a hurried tone): "Good. Be ready. The car will be there soon. I'm counting on you, Dhruv."
With that, the call ends. Dhruv stands there for a moment, staring at his phone screen, trying to process everything. A part of him is relieved that he isn't being fired, but the anxiety of the task ahead still looms large.
He quickly checks his watch. 10 minutes. He needs to get ready, fast.
As Dhruv hurriedly entered his flat, he rushed to get ready, throwing on his shirt and shoes with precision. The car horn signalled the arrival of the car, exactly 10 minutes later, just as Manav had said. He grabbed his bag and darted out of the flat, finding Karan already seated in the back of the car, scrolling through his phone.
Karan (casually, glancing at Dhruv): "So, did you sleep well after all that drama last night?"
Dhruv nodded, giving a faint smile in assurance, though his tired eyes gave away the truth.
Dhruv (quickly changing the subject): "Hey, I need your hotspot. I forgot to recharge my SIM."
Karan raised his eyebrows but handed over his phone without hesitation. Dhruv connected to the hotspot and quickly recharged his SIM, immediately paying off the overdue electricity bill. As he completed the transaction, Karan's eyes narrowed as he spotted the screen.
Karan (mocking surprise): "Wait a minute, did you just pay your electricity bill? How did you forget that? And more importantly, how did you sleep last night if there was no electricity?"
Dhruv (laughing it off): "Ah, I stayed at a friend's place. It was no big deal."
Karan (curious): "Friend? When did you make a new friend? Who's this mystery person?"
Dhruv (shrugging): "No new friend. Remember Vikas, the tea stall owner where I used to live before? We bumped into each other while I was walking back. He invited me over. I stayed there and slept at his place."
Karan looked unconvinced, his face hardening with concern.
Karan (furious): "And you didn't think to call me? Or just come over to my place? Seriously, man!"
Dhruv (calming him down): "It was late, Karan. And besides, I ran into Vikas on the way. It was impromptu, I couldn't just say no."
Karan finally relaxed, though the concern lingered in his eyes. He turned to face Dhruv again, lowering his voice.
Karan (seriously): "Dhruv, come on, man. I know this whole 'insomnia' thing you keep telling people is made up. What's going on? You can talk to me, I'm not going to spill it to anyone."
Dhruv's face tightened. He remained silent, staring out the window. After denying Karan's plea a couple more times, he finally relented, sighing heavily.
Dhruv (softly): "I've been freelancing through Linkedin."
Karan (raising an eyebrow): "Freelancing?"
Dhruv (nodding): "I've been having a tough time managing the family expenses. With Muskan's new college fees, I needed extra income. So I started freelancing, doing backend projects in the evenings after work."
Karan's expression shifted from concern to shock.
Karan (wide-eyed): "You should've told me, man! I could've helped you with money."
Dhruv (shaking his head): "It's not just a one-time thing, Karan. It's a constant expense, especially with Muskan's post-grad fees. I can't keep borrowing from people."
Suddenly, Karan's face turned pale as he processed what Dhruv had just said.
Karan (alarmed): "Wait… did you just say LinkedIn? Freelancing through LinkedIn?"
Dhruv (confused): "Yeah, why?"
Karan (horrified): "Have you lost your mind?! Don't you know how risky that is? The company has strict policies. If anyone finds out you're freelancing on LinkedIn and some senior official catches your profile, you're done for. Fired on the spot!"
Dhruv's eyes widened with fear. His hands trembled as he fumbled for his laptop in the bag. Without wasting a second, he opened his LinkedIn profile, heart pounding. Sweat formed on his brow as he hastily removed the 'Freelancer' tag and deleted any trace of his freelance work from his work history.
Karan (calming down): "Good. That's sorted. But you should've told me earlier. Look, there are other ways to make money."
Dhruv nodded, still shaken by the scare.
Karan (suggestively): "We should learn about stock trading. I've been reading up on it. We can start small and invest. It's risky, but it's a better option than getting yourself fired over freelancing."
Dhruv gave a small nod, the weight of the conversation settling on his shoulders.
Dhruv (sighing): "Maybe you're right. Let's give it a shot."
Dhruv and Karan sat silently in the back of the car, each lost in their own thoughts about the client meeting ahead. Just as Dhruv started mentally rehearsing the key points of their presentation, a sudden jolt threw them forward. The car had lurched to a stop.
"Whoa!" Karan exclaimed, grabbing the seat in front of him. He exchanged a confused look with Dhruv.
The driver stepped out to check the engine, his expression grim as he popped the hood. Dhruv leaned forward, eyes narrowing with worry.
"Of all days…" he muttered.
A few tense minutes later, the driver returned, wiping his hands on a rag. "Seems like an engine problem. I'll go find a mechanic nearby."
With that, he headed off down the road, leaving Dhruv and Karan sitting in anxious silence.
"So…looks like we're getting fired after all," Karan said with a dry laugh.
Dhruv shook his head, looking out the window as if willing the driver to reappear. "Only we could have this kind of luck."
Karan sighed and leaned back, drumming his fingers on his knee. "If we're already late, do you think it'll matter if I take a nap?"
Dhruv managed a small, reluctant smile. "Sure. Nap away. I'll just sit here and stress."
They sat in silence, both fidgeting and stealing glances at the road, willing the driver to come back. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the driver appeared with a mechanic in tow. Dhruv and Karan exchanged looks of wary relief.
"Okay, maybe we still have a shot," Dhruv murmured, trying to convince himself as much as Karan.
The mechanic worked on the car while Dhruv and Karan waited, their impatience growing with each passing minute. Every now and then, Dhruv checked his watch, tapping his foot against the floor of the car.
"I swear if we don't get this project," Karan muttered, "I'm blaming that mechanic's entire family tree."
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the engine roared to life, and they were back on the road. But their enthusiasm had dimmed, replaced by a sense of weary resignation. They'd been delayed so long that their chances of getting the project felt slim.
They reached the client's building, just as the sky opened up, drenching everything in a sudden downpour.
"Perfect," Dhruv muttered, pulling his collar up as they dashed from the car to the lobby entrance. "Just when I thought today couldn't get any worse."
Karan, looking just as soaked, tried to inject some humour. "Hey, at least we look professional now. You know, like two guys fresh out of a waterfall?"
Dhruv snorted, his usual good-natured patience worn thin. "Yeah, great first impression."
Inside the lobby, they shook the rain from their hair, adjusting their jackets in an attempt to salvage some dignity. As they composed themselves, they noticed a young, blonde woman standing near the balcony, looking out at the rain with a calm, almost serene expression.
"Think that's her?" Karan whispered, nodding toward the woman.
"Maybe," Dhruv said, hopeful. They made their way over, trying to appear composed and confident.
As they approached, she turned to greet them, her expression warm but slightly puzzled.
Karan leaned in, extending a hand. "Miss Watson? We're here to discuss the project—"
The woman blinked, then smiled, a hint of sympathy in her eyes. "Oh, I'm not Miss Watson. I'm Jess, short for Jessica Clarke. I'm her secretary. And, I'm so sorry, but…Miss Watson left about half an hour ago."
Karan and Dhruv's faces fell, their hopeful expressions replaced by disappointment.
"Oh…" Karan managed, his voice trailing off, clearly deflated.
Jess glanced at them apologetically. "She did wait, but she had a prior commitment and couldn't delay any longer. She asked me to pass along her apologies."
Karan and Dhruv exchanged glances of disbelief, the weight of the situation finally sinking in. Their shoulders slumped, and they turned back toward the exit just as the rain outside picked up in intensity, perfectly matching the mood.
"Well," Karan sighed as they reached the lobby door, "if this isn't fate kicking us while we're down, I don't know what is."
Dhruv shook his head, trying to muster a bit of humour through his frustration. "Guess we're going back to the office with one heck of a story."
As Dhruv and Karan absorbed Jess's disappointing news about the client, Miss Watson, having already left, a heavy sense of futility settled over them. The rain outside picked up intensity, the downpour lashing against the glass and casting the gloomy conference room into an even more desolate light. Their ride back was gone, too, having left to find a repair shop, which meant they were stranded with Jess, Miss Watson's secretary, in a near-empty building with no one else around.
The three of them stood near the floor-to-ceiling windows, Jess leaning against the balcony railing, gazing out into the sheets of rain that blurred the city lights. Dhruv and Karan sat inside the conference room, feeling utterly drained. Karan rubbed his temples and sighed.
"Of all days for the car to break down…" he muttered, shaking his head. "And now we can't even catch a break from the rain. This day couldn't get worse."
Dhruv gave a hollow chuckle. "Don't tempt fate. It's been in a mood to mess with us since last night."
They sat in silence for a few moments, the steady hum of the rain somehow lulling them into a kind of defeated calm.
Karan shifted in his seat and looked at Dhruv. "You know what, if we're stuck here for a while… might as well make the best of it." He pushed his chair back, propped his legs up on the table, and crossed his arms behind his head.
Dhruv followed suit, letting out a sigh as he tried to settle into a position that offered at least a shred of comfort. "Maybe when we wake up, the rain will have cleared," he muttered, closing his eyes.
Before long, both of them had dozed off, the tension of the day giving way to the silence and warmth of the room.
Three hours later, Dhruv's phone buzzed loudly on the table, jolting him awake. He opened his eyes, bleary with sleep, and when he checked the time, his face morphed into shock.
"Karan!" he whispered urgently, giving him a shake. "Karan, wake up! We've been out for more than three hours!"
Karan groaned, clearly wanting to cling to sleep a little longer, but he opened one eye at Dhruv's insistence. "Three hours? Man, no wonder I felt like I was in a coma," he mumbled, rubbing his eyes and stretching.
When they both stepped out of the conference hall, hoping to find a change in the weather, they were met with the same relentless rain, pounding against the windows and casting a grey, misty veil over the street below.
Jess approached them from the hallway, smirking playfully. "Well, I didn't know a conference hall could be repurposed as a napping lounge," she said, clearly amused.
Karan and Dhruv exchanged embarrassed chuckles, scratching their heads.
"So, uh… you're still here?" Karan asked, surprised.
Jess sighed, shrugging. "I thought I'd get out while the rain eased up earlier, but there were no cabs. Figured I'd wait it out too."
They made their way back into the conference room and sat down, resigned to their stranded fate. Jess joined them, raising an eyebrow as she looked between the two. "So, I've been curious… what happened that you two showed up so late to meet my boss?"
Karan let out a sigh. "Oh, you wouldn't believe the day we've had," he began, then launched into the story, complete with dramatics, exaggerated expressions, and gestures. Jess laughed as he went on, nodding in sympathy.
Dhruv chuckled at Karan's storytelling. "He's got a knack for making every bad day sound a little more tragic," Dhruv said, earning a light shove from Karan.
They chatted casually for a while, with Karan cracking jokes that had both Dhruv and Jess laughing. At one point, Jess raised an eyebrow at Karan's antics. "You know, I think you might have a future in comedy if this business thing doesn't pan out."
"Noted," Karan replied, feigning an air of importance. "I'll be sure to add it to my LinkedIn skills."
After a while, Karan's laughter faded, and he sighed deeply. "All this talking has made me parched," he said, standing up to look around for water. A few minutes later, he returned with a single half-filled bottle of water, holding it up like a prize.
Dhruv raised an eyebrow. "That's it? You were gone forever, and that's all you could find?"
Karan shot him a glare and waved the bottle in front of him. "This is precious liquid, my friend. Take it or leave it."
Jess, sitting across from them, looked at the bottle, clearly as thirsty as they were. Karan noticed and walked over, holding the bottle out to her.
"Here, you drink first," he said, surprising her.
Jess looked up at him, confused. "But you're the one who went looking for it. You're obviously thirsty."
"Exactly, which is why I'll feel too guilty if I down it all and leave you with nothing," Karan replied with a grin. "Guests first."
She smiled and took a small sip, then handed the bottle back to Karan. "Thank you," she said, genuinely appreciative.
Karan returned her smile. "Anytime. I'm a gentleman, after all," he joked, making Dhruv roll his eyes.
With the bottle now half-empty and passed back to Dhruv and Karan, the three of them sat back in their seats, listening to the rhythmic sound of the rain that still poured relentlessly outside.
An hour later, the rain finally eased, leaving a damp silence over the city streets. Karan eagerly checked his phone and, after several failed attempts, managed to book a cab. A sigh of relief escaped both him and Dhruv as they watched the cab approach. When it arrived, Karan turned to Jessica with a friendly smile.
"Jess, come with us. We'll drop you off on the way," Karan offered. "It'll be impossible to find another cab out here."
Jess looked a bit hesitant. "Are you sure? I don't want to impose."
Dhruv waved her concern away. "It's no trouble at all. Just hop in."
The three of them walked toward the cab, relieved at the prospect of finally heading home. But as soon as they reached the car door, the driver cleared his throat, looking slightly irritated.
"Where to, then?" he asked, glancing at each of them.
Dhruv and Karan exchanged looks. Jess quickly mentioned her location, and both Dhruv and Karan winced. Her destination was in the complete opposite direction.
The driver shook his head firmly. "I'm not going in two directions tonight," he grumbled. "This is my last ride, and I barely have enough petrol for one route. You'll have to decide who's going where."
Karan checked his watch; it was already past 8 PM. With the roads still slick and the city unusually quiet due to the rain, he and Dhruv shared a silent understanding.
Dhruv turned to Jess. "Take the cab, Jess. We'll walk back."
Jess shook her head, clearly uncomfortable with the idea. "No, you guys called it. I can walk; I'll be fine."
Karan chimed in, insistent, "It's not safe for you to walk back alone this late, especially in this city. You take the cab. We'll manage."
The driver, tapping his fingers impatiently on the steering wheel, called back, "I need the OTP."
With a small nod, Dhruv read the one-time password aloud to the driver. As Jess stepped into the cab, she hesitated, then turned to Dhruv. "At least let me pay you back for the ride. Give me your number so I can transfer the fare."
Dhruv chuckled, shaking his head. "No need. Consider it a favour."
But Jess was insistent. "You guys did a lot for me tonight. It's only fair."
After a brief pause, Dhruv flashed a mischievous smile and read out Karan's phone number instead of his own. Karan's eyebrows shot up in surprise as he mouthed, "What?" but Dhruv just grinned, trying to mask his amusement.
As Jess noted the number and waved them a cheerful goodbye, the cab pulled away, leaving Dhruv and Karan alone on the damp, quiet road.
"Why did you give her my number?" Karan asked, an amused smile slowly creeping onto his face.
Dhruv shrugged, a playful twinkle in his eye. "Maybe I'm helping you find your soulmate, man."
Karan rolled his eyes but couldn't help laughing. "You know, sometimes I think you're just trying to complicate my life."
Dhruv gave him a friendly nudge. "Come on, let's start walking. Who knows, maybe we'll find a tea stall open at this hour."
And with that, the two of them started down the dimly lit street, their laughter echoing softly in the cool night air.
As Dhruv and Karan continued walking down the deserted, rain-washed streets, they both enjoyed the quiet, only the soft patter of their footsteps accompanying them.
Karan (sighing): "You know, after everything, today wasn't so terrible. We got to meet Jess, have a nap in the middle of the day, and…well, dodge Manav's wrath—kind of."
Dhruv (smiling): "Yeah, it was a strange kind of break from work. Didn't expect to enjoy getting stranded."
Karan (nodding): "Exactly. Sometimes we need this sort of randomness, makes life feel... less predictable."
As Dhruv and Karan strolled back through the rain-scented streets, the air felt refreshingly cool after a long, chaotic day. They laughed about their mishaps, joking about their unexpected afternoon break and nap at the office building.
Just then, Karan's phone buzzed. Glancing at the screen, he saw it was a message from Ananya:
"Where the hell are you two? Get Dhruv back to his flat before midnight! Today's important!"
Karan's eyebrows shot up as he read the message, realisation dawned on him. Today's Dhruv's birthday! He stole a quick glance at Dhruv, who was looking off into the distance, seemingly unaware.
Karan (suppressing a grin): "Hey, man, you ready to head home? Ananya's been asking where we are, so we should probably get moving."
Dhruv (chuckling): "Guess she's missing our constant chatter."
Karan (nodding, keeping his cool): "Yeah, something like that."
With a newfound urgency, Karan nudged Dhruv to pick up the pace, keeping his face neutral. As they walked, he carefully avoided spilling any hints, silently relishing the thought of the surprise that awaited Dhruv back at his flat.
As Dhruv unlocked the door to his flat, he reached for the light switch, tired and expecting nothing but silence. But the moment the lights flickered on, his jaw dropped.
The room was filled with colourful balloons, streamers, and a small "Happy Birthday" banner hanging across the wall. Ananya and Karan, both wearing silly birthday caps, jumped up with wide grins.
Ananya and Karan (in unison, shouting): "Happy Birthday, Dhruv!"
Dhruv stood there, speechless, his eyes wide with surprise. For a moment, he was at a loss for words; no one had ever thrown him a surprise birthday like this.
Dhruv (laughing, shaking his head): "You guys… I don't even know what to say! This… this is incredible."
Ananya (grinning, holding a "Birthday Boy" cap): "Come on, birthday boy, put this on!"
Dhruv (groaning, trying to resist): "No way. That thing looks ridiculous."
But Ananya was determined, playfully pushing the cap onto his head until he gave in, rolling his eyes yet smiling.
They moved to the table, where a small cake awaited him, decorated with the words, "Happy Birthday, Dhruv!" Karan lit the candles, and they both started singing—loudly and off-key.
Karan (grinning): "Alright, make a wish, old man!"
Dhruv laughed, closing his eyes for a moment before blowing out the candles. They all clapped as he cut the cake, and soon they were passing around plates, enjoying the cake and the food they'd ordered. Laughter filled the room as they shared stories, poked fun at each other, and clinked their beer bottles together.
As the night wound down, each of them grew quieter, the laughter fading to soft chuckles and sleepy smiles. Plates and empty bottles lay scattered, but no one had the energy to clean up.
Dhruv stretched out on the floor, leaning back against the wall, his eyes growing heavy. Ananya sat beside him, barely a few inches away, leaning comfortably as her head began to droop.
Moments later, Karan, already sprawled out on the couch, drifted into sleep with a quiet snore. Dhruv glanced over at Ananya, who was half-asleep herself, her head slowly tipping until it found his shoulder. He was too tired to move or say anything, and rested his head back, closing his eyes.
The morning started with a chaotic bang. The room was dimly lit, and the remnants of last night's celebration lay scattered around. Dhruv was sprawled on the floor, his back against the couch, while Karan was curled up on a beanbag. Ananya, on the other hand, had dozed off a bit too close to Dhruv, her long hair tangled around one of his shirt's collar buttons. The faint sound of the doorbell echoed through the flat, breaking the silence.
Ding-dong. Ding-dong.
Ananya stirred, slowly waking up. As she tried to move, she felt a slight tug on her hair, realising it was tangled in Dhruv's button. Dhruv groaned, waking up as well, confused by the sudden pull.
Dhruv (groggily): "Ouch... what the...?"
Ananya quickly untangled herself, mumbling a half-hearted apology, and got up to answer the door. She rubbed her eyes, still drowsy, and unlocked the door.
The door swung open, revealing Muskan standing there, her eyes blazing with fury. Her lips trembled, and without a word, she pushed past Ananya, storming into the flat.
Ananya (confused): "Hey... Muskan? What's wrong?"
But Muskan ignored her, her gaze fixed on Dhruv, who was now standing, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes.
Muskan (furiously, tears streaming): "How dare you, Bhai?! How could you hide something so big from me?"
Dhruv's heart sank. He knew this confrontation was inevitable, but he wasn't ready for it to hit him this early in the morning.
Dhruv (trying to stay calm): "Muskan... what are you talking about?"
Before he could say anything more, Muskan charged forward and began hitting him on the chest with her fists, her sobs growing louder.
Muskan (crying and shouting): "You lied to me! You said Mom just had a minor fever! You hide everything from me! How could you not tell me about her heart attack?!"
Karan and Aryan, startled by the commotion, woke up and sat up in confusion, trying to grasp the situation.
Dhruv stood there, letting Muskan hit him, her small fists pounding on his chest. Her tears were a mix of frustration, pain, and betrayal. He didn't try to stop her; he felt he deserved every blow.
Muskan (voice breaking): "You always do this, Bhai! You take everything on yourself, hiding all the pain... acting like you're some hero. I'm grown up now! I have the right to know what's happening in our family! Why do you always push me away?!"
Dhruv's eyes welled up as he tried to reach out, his hands trembling as they rested on her shoulders.
Dhruv (softly): "Muskan... I... I just didn't want to worry you. You had your exams—"
But Muskan wasn't having any of it. She slapped his hands away, her face twisted in anguish.
Muskan (shouting): "You don't get to decide what I can handle, Bhai! I'm not a child anymore!"
Her sobs filled the room, and without another word, she turned on her heels, heading towards the door. Dhruv, panicking, took a step to follow her.
Dhruv (desperately): "Muskan, wait! Let me explain—"
Before he could chase after her, Ananya swiftly stepped in, grabbing his arm to stop him.
Ananya (firmly, yet gently): "Let me go talk to her, Dhruv. Give her some space."
Dhruv stood there, frozen in place, his heart heavy with guilt. Ananya let go of his arm, giving him a reassuring nod, and then quickly followed Muskan outside.
Aryan, who was still half-asleep, blinked groggily at the commotion, then cracked a joke, "Man, Dhruv, your life's turning into a daily soap drama. What's next? A surprise plot twist?"
Karan snickered, and even Dhruv managed a small smile amidst the tension. "Yeah, maybe Muskan will come back with a lawyer and sue me for being the worst brother," Dhruv said, trying to lighten the mood.
They all chuckled, though the laughter was short-lived. Karan patted Dhruv on the back. "Don't worry, buddy. Muskan will come around. She's just... overwhelmed."
Aryan nodded in agreement, adding with a grin, "Yeah, give her some time. She'll forget all this once she sees the food bill you've been covering for her."
Just as Dhruv was about to reply, Karan's phone buzzed with a notification. He checked it and looked up, eyebrows raised. "Guess who just sent me 140₹? None other than Jessica Clarke."
Dhruv's eyes widened in amusement. "I see where is this heading"
Karan nodded, showing him the notification. But before they could comment further, another ping came—a direct message from Jessica herself.
Karan tapped on it, and the message opened:
Jessica: "Hi! Didn't realise this was Karan's number and not Dhruv's. Thanks for the help yesterday. "
Karan smirked, typing a quick response:
Karan: "Haha, yeah, Dhruv's bank was acting up, so he borrowed my number. No worries, though. All good!"
A moment later, another message from Jessica popped up:
Jessica: "Oh, is that so? Well, you two were fun. Actually... I have a little proposition. If you can give me a proper city tour, I can talk to my boss and schedule a meeting with your company. What do you say?"
Karan's jaw dropped in playful disbelief. He quickly turned the phone screen toward Dhruv, his eyes sparkling. "Bro, look at this! She's bribing me with a business meeting for a date!"
Dhruv's face lit up with excitement. "Are you serious? Dude, say yes right now! This could be a golden opportunity for us."
Karan grinned mischievously and typed back:
Karan: "Deal! You've got yourself a tour guide. When and where?"
Jessica replied almost immediately:
Jessica: "Perfect! Let's plan for this weekend. I'll message you the details later. Looking forward to it! 😄"
Karan gave a triumphant fist pump, and Dhruv burst into laughter. Aryan, who had been listening in on the conversation, smirked. "Looks like we're turning this loss into a win, boys. Who knew a failed project could lead to a date with a pretty American?"
The three of them laughed.
Ananya finally manages to convince Muskan to come back to Dhruv's flat. Muskan's eyes are still red from all the crying, her face set with a mixture of anger and hurt. Ananya walks beside her, gently patting her shoulder in a comforting gesture, trying to assure her that everything will be alright. As they reach the door of the flat, Ananya lets out a sigh, preparing herself for an emotional reunion.
She pushes the door open, expecting a sombre atmosphere. But to her utter surprise, the scene inside the flat is the complete opposite.
Dhruv, Karan, and Aryan are sitting in a circle on the floor, their hands flying in the air as they yell, "Rock! Paper! Scissors!" They are clearly engrossed in the game like a bunch of excited kids, with Dhruv and Karan accusing Aryan of cheating.
Karan (pointing at Aryan): "I saw that! You changed from scissors to rock at the last second! Cheater!"
Aryan (defending himself): "No way! You both are just sore losers! Rock crushes scissors fair and square!"
Dhruv (jumping in): "I swear I'm surrounded by frauds! Let's go again, best of three!"
The room bursts into laughter as Aryan makes a goofy face, trying to distract Dhruv for the next round. Just then, Ananya clears her throat loudly, trying to get their attention.
The three boys freeze mid-game and look up, their eyes widening at the sight of Ananya standing there with her arms crossed and Muskan looking on in confusion.
Ananya (raising an eyebrow): "Really? This is what you guys are doing while we're out there sorting things?"
Muskan, who was expecting to see her brother and his friends feeling guilty and remorseful, stands there bewildered, trying to process the absurdity of the scene.
Karan (looking guilty but unable to hide his grin): "Uh… we were just… stress-busting?"
Dhruv (scratching his head): "Yeah, stress-busting. You know, for… mental health."
Ananya gives them all a death stare, her frustration evident.
Ananya (sighing): "Muskan, go inside. These idiots are clearly beyond help."
Muskan walks past the trio, who sheepishly step aside, still holding their hands in the air as if ready for another round. As soon as she disappears into the other room, Ananya turns to them, eyes blazing.
Ananya: "You guys are unbelievable."
Aryan (whispering to Karan): "I think we're in trouble again."
Karan (whispering back): "Not we… YOU. You're the one who suggested rock paper scissors."
The three of them burst into another round of suppressed giggles, trying to keep it down as Ananya continues to glare at them.
As Muskan disappears into the other room, Dhruv stands up, still chuckling over their childish game. But the laughter quickly dies down when he sees Ananya's intense gaze fixed on him.
Ananya (crossing her arms): "Dhruv, you need to make up with her properly. You can't just leave things like this."
Dhruv (rolling his eyes playfully): "What do you want me to do? Write her a heartfelt apology letter?"
Ananya (sternly): "No, Dhruv. I mean get her a proper gift. Something that shows you're genuinely sorry."
Dhruv tilts his head, pretending to think about it for a moment, and then shakes his head dramatically.
Dhruv (grinning): "Nope, can't do that. I'm broke."
Karan (jumping in, teasing): "Broke? Didn't you just get a bonus for the last project?"
Dhruv (feigning distress): "Yeah, but Muskan drained it all. Her college fees, her endless shopping, her random cravings… You know, the usual."
Aryan (snickering): "So what you're saying is Muskan is your personal financial black hole?"
Dhruv (nodding with mock seriousness): "Exactly! The girl's more expensive than my rent."
Ananya tries to maintain her serious demeanour but can't help the small smile tugging at her lips.
Ananya (shaking her head, trying to suppress a laugh): "Excuses, excuses. Fine, if you don't get her something, I'll just tell her that her loving brother couldn't spare a single penny for her."
Dhruv's eyes widened in playful horror.
Dhruv: "Alright, alright! Blackmail, I see how it is. I'll get her something. But it better not be something expensive."
Ananya (smirking): "Good. And no, chocolates from the nearby store don't count."
Dhruv (groaning): "Ugh, there goes my easy plan."
The trio bursts into laughter again, while Ananya shakes her head
Karan's phone buzzed with an incoming call from Jess. He quickly excused himself and stepped out onto the balcony, leaving Dhruv and Aryan behind, who were engrossed in their usual lighthearted banter.
Aryan (grinning): "So, do you think Karan's finally landed himself a date or is he just pretending to be all business?"
Dhruv (chuckling): "With Karan, who knows? Maybe he's already planning their honeymoon."
Both of them burst into laughter, their voices echoing in the flat. Moments later, Karan reappeared, looking unusually serious, which immediately caught Dhruv's attention.
Dhruv (raising an eyebrow): "So, what did Miss America say?"
Karan (taking a deep breath): "Well, Jess just pulled off a miracle... and maybe a disaster. She's managed to fix a meeting for us with Miss Watson today at 12 noon."
Aryan (beaming): "That's great! But why the long face, dude?"
Karan (hesitating): "There's a catch. Jess may have slightly exaggerated our proposal to convince Miss Watson for this meeting."
Dhruv (frowning, crossing his arms): "What do you mean by 'slightly exaggerated'?"
Karan (looking guilty): "She told Miss Watson that our proposal is 30% more cost-effective than our rivals."
For a moment, there was stunned silence in the room. Dhruv and Aryan exchanged looks of disbelief.
Dhruv (facepalming): "30%?! Is she out of her mind? We can't pull that off unless we suddenly discover a hidden stash of magic beans."
Aryan (rubbing his temples in frustration): "Seriously, Karan? We're not magicians! There's no way you can cut down costs by that much without losing the quality."
Before they could continue, Dhruv's phone rang, interrupting their conversation. The screen flashed Manav's name, causing Dhruv to freeze for a moment.
Dhruv (taking a deep breath before answering): "Hello, Manav sir."
Manav (in his usual stern tone): "Dhruv, I need you and Karan in my cabin in an hour. We have some urgent matters to discuss. Don't be late."
Manav hung up abruptly, leaving no room for questions. Dhruv pocketed his phone, his face growing even paler.
Dhruv (looking at Karan and Aryan): "We're officially screwed, guys. Manav just called us in. I bet he already knows something's up."
Karan (trying to lighten the mood): "Well, let's just hope he's in a good mood today. Maybe we can throw in some of Aryan's terrible jokes to soften the blow."
Aryan (grinning): "Hey, my jokes are gold. They might just save you today."
The four of them enter the office, heading straight to their respective cubicles. Karan and Dhruv quickly make their way to Manav's cabin as instructed. The atmosphere is tense; Dhruv takes a deep breath before they push open the glass door.
Manav (looking up from his laptop):
"Ah, finally! You two, sit down. Now, tell me what happened yesterday. Did you meet the client?"
Dhruv and Karan exchange quick glances. Karan nods, stepping forward.
Karan:
"Well, sir, we reached there, but… there were some complications."
Manav (leaning forward, brows furrowed):
"Complications? What kind of complications?"
Dhruv (jumping in):
"The rain was a mess, and by the time we arrived, Miss Watson had already left. We couldn't meet her."
Manav's expression darkens momentarily, but he gestures for them to continue.
Manav:
"And? Is that it? Please tell me you at least got something out of this disaster."
Karan hesitates, glancing at Dhruv again. Dhruv subtly shakes his head, trying to signal not to mention the meeting Jess arranged. But Karan, misinterpreting the signal, blurts out:
Karan:
"Well, actually, sir, there's some good news too! Miss Watson's secretary, Jess, took the initiative and convinced her for another meeting today. But to secure that meeting, she, uh, presented a proposal on our behalf..."
Manav (eyes widening with a mix of surprise and relief):
"Another meeting? That's great news! I knew I could count on you two. So, what's the catch?"
Karan (swallowing nervously):
"She told Miss Watson that we have a new proposal… which is 30% more cost-effective than our competitors."
Dhruv's jaw drops, and he quickly shoots Karan a death glare. It's too late; the damage is done. Manav, on the other hand, looks thrilled.
Manav (clapping his hands together):
"Brilliant! That is exactly what I wanted to hear. 30% cost reduction, huh? You guys are on fire!"
Dhruv tries to speak up, to explain how impossible it is, but Manav's enthusiasm bulldozes over his attempt.
Manav:
"Listen, I don't care how you pull this off. Do whatever it takes—cut corners, negotiate deals, streamline the process. If she wants 30% cheaper, you give her 40%! Understand?"
Dhruv (finally finding his voice):
"Sir, with all due respect, a 30% reduction is... well, it's almost impossible. We would be running at a loss."
Manav (cutting him off):
"Dhruv, I don't want to hear excuses. We need this project. No matter what, we have to outbid that rival company. If you're telling me Jess got us a meeting, then you damn well secure that project. I trust you two. Make it happen!"
Before Dhruv or Karan can say another word, Manav's phone buzzes. He checks it and gestures toward the door.
Manav:
"I have a call to take. Get out there, do your magic, and don't come back without that deal."
He waves them off, leaving the cabin with his phone pressed to his ear. Karan looks at Dhruv, a sheepish grin on his face.
Karan (whispering):
"Uh, did I mess up big time?"
Dhruv (sighing heavily, rubbing his temples):
"Yes, Karan… you did."
Karan and Dhruv returned to their cubicles with heavy hearts, still processing Manav's order to come up with a 30% cost-effective plan. They slid their chairs closer to each other, transforming their workspace into a makeshift strategy zone.
Karan (sighing deeply): "Alright, buddy. Let's put our brilliant minds together and come up with something groundbreaking."
Dhruv (yawning): "Yeah, sure… groundbreaking. But my brain feels like it's been ground into dust already."
They both stared blankly at the screen for a good minute, fingers hovering over their keyboards, yet no typing followed. Dhruv sipped his coffee, hoping the caffeine would magically give him the answers. But instead, it just made him more awake to the fact that he was completely clueless.
Karan (rubbing his temples dramatically): "You know, I think my brain just blue-screened. There's nothing... zero... nada in here." He tapped his head like it was a broken TV set.
Dhruv (chuckling): "Looks like we've officially run out of creativity. Shall we just tell Miss Watson that our cost-effective plan is to save paper by printing fewer reports?"
They both burst into laughter, earning a few curious glances from Ananya and Aryan, who were typing away with utmost dedication.
Ananya (whispering to Aryan): "Look at those two. Manav wants a miracle, but they're busy auditioning for a comedy show."
Aryan (shaking his head with a smile): "Sometimes I wonder how they even get anything done. It's like watching kids on a sugar rush."
Ignoring the pointed stares from their diligent colleagues, Karan leaned back in his chair.
Karan: "You know what, let's take a 5-minute break. They say inspiration hits when you're not thinking about it."
Dhruv (grinning): "And when you're thinking about food. Let's order samosas!"
The duo pulled out their phones and started scrolling through food delivery apps, completely abandoning the task at hand. Aryan glanced over and sighed, mumbling to himself about how their company expenses would skyrocket because of these two.
Half an hour later, surrounded by empty coffee cups and leftover samosa wrappers, they were still nowhere close to a solution.
Dhruv (leaning back with a satisfied grin): "That samosa hit the spot. But sadly, still no genius plan in my head."
Karan (patting his stomach): "Yup, we're full of samosas but empty of ideas. Let's take a different approach. How about… we distract ourselves with something creative?"
Dhruv (raising an eyebrow): "Like…?"
Karan (pulling out his phone): "Ludo, my friend! A little competition to awaken the mind."
Dhruv (laughing): "Yeah, sure, because nothing screams productivity like playing Ludo when you're supposed to be saving your job."
Without further ado, they opened the Ludo app on their phones and began playing with the enthusiasm of school kids bunking class. The sound of dice rolls and fake arguments over moves echoed through the cubicle, attracting attention from Ananya once again.
Ananya (looking up from her work, utterly confused): "Are they... playing Ludo? Seriously?!"
Aryan (chuckling): "You have to give it to them. They've mastered the art of staying relaxed under pressure."
Ananya (rolling her eyes): "Yeah, let's see how relaxed they'll be when Manav checks their progress."
Meanwhile, Karan was celebrating a big win in Ludo.
Karan (victoriously): "YES! Two sixes in a row! The Ludo god is on my side today!"
Dhruv (slumping in defeat): "I swear this game is rigged. No way you're this lucky."
They both laughed loudly, drawing even more confused looks from their colleagues. Ananya couldn't hold back anymore and walked up to them.
Ananya (sarcastically): "So, have you two geniuses cracked the code yet? Or are you presenting a Ludo strategy to Miss Watson?"
Karan (grinning sheepishly): "Relax, Ananya. Genius ideas take time... and snacks... and maybe a few rounds of Ludo."
Dhruv (nodding seriously): "Yeah, we're just in the 'ideation' phase. Ludo helps stimulate the brain cells, you know?"
Ananya (crossing her arms, unimpressed): "Well, you better start stimulating faster, because Miss Watson isn't going to be impressed by your high scores in Ludo."
Karan and Dhruv exchanged guilty looks, realising they'd probably pushed their luck too far this time.
Dhruv (turning to Karan): "Alright, man. Game over. Let's get back to work before Ananya sets our computers on fire with her glare."
Karan and Dhruv, now forced to abandon their beloved Ludo game thanks to Ananya's sharp glare, sat back in their chairs, defeated but not quite ready to return to real work.
Karan (leaning over to Dhruv, whispering): "Alright, since the fun police shut down our Ludo session, how about we do something more productive?"
Dhruv (smirking): "Productive? You? That's a joke in itself."
Karan (rolling his eyes): "No, I mean productive in our own way. Like...gossip. You know, the office dirt. Let's at least entertain ourselves while pretending to work."
Dhruv (leaning in, intrigued): "Oh, I'm all ears. Spill the tea, brother."
Karan (grinning mischievously): "Alright, let's start with Mr. Robot… I mean, Manav. Did you notice he's been extra grumpy lately? Heard it's because his wife caught him chatting up that receptionist from the fifth floor."
Dhruv (laughing quietly): "No way! That explains why he's been taking all those mysterious 'urgent meetings.'"
Ananya, who was supposed to be back to her work, couldn't help but overhear their conversation. She turned her chair towards them, raising an eyebrow.
Ananya (folding her arms): "Really, guys? Office gossip? That's your brilliant strategy to win over Miss Watson?"
Karan (shrugging): "Hey, it's team-building in a way. You can join us, you know. Who's your favourite gossip target?"
Ananya sighed but couldn't resist a smile. She pulled her chair closer, secretly interested.
Ananya: "Fine. But if we're doing this, I want the scoop on Pallavi from HR. She's been smiling a lot more lately. Bet she's seeing someone new."
Dhruv (nodding knowingly): "Oh, totally! I bet it's that IT guy, Vikram. The other day, I saw him fixing her computer for like an hour. No one needs an hour to fix a monitor cable."
Karan (snickering): "Yeah, and I saw them leave together in her car last Friday. I think we cracked this case wide open."
Ananya (giggling): "Oh my God, you two are worse than aunties at a kitty party."
Dhruv (grinning): "Please, don't insult the aunties. We're way more efficient at uncovering secrets."
Karan, clearly on a roll, leaned in closer, lowering his voice for dramatic effect.
Karan: "But wait, there's more. You know Rajesh from accounts? Rumour has it he's been faking those 'sick leaves' to go on dates with that intern from marketing. Saw them at that café near Connaught Place last weekend. I thought he had a weak stomach. Turns out, he just has a weak willpower around cute interns."
Dhruv (laughing loudly): "No wonder his 'doctor's appointments' always happen on Fridays."
Ananya shook her head in disbelief, trying to suppress her laughter.
Ananya: "You two are incorrigible. But alright, I've got one. You know Drishti, right? The one Karan swears has a crush on you, Dhruv?"
Karan (nodding eagerly): "Oh, yes. What's the scoop there?"
Ananya (leaning forward, eyes glinting): "Turns out, she's been asking around for tips on learning backend coding. Apparently, she's trying to impress someone from our team."
Karan and Dhruv exchanged wide-eyed glances.
Dhruv (in mock horror): "Oh no, Karan! She's coming for your job!"
Karan (dramatically clutching his chest): "Not my job! But hey, at least I won't be the only one getting hit on by tech geeks."
They all burst into laughter, earning even more curious glances from their diligent colleagues. Aryan, who was still focusing on his computer, turned around with a smirk.
Aryan: "Glad to see you guys are hard at work. I'll make sure to let Manav know about your… strategic brainstorming session."
Dhruv (grinning): "Hey, hey! This is important research. Knowing your colleagues' secrets is key to team management, right?"
The laughter and chatter between Karan, Dhruv, Ananya, and Aryan grew louder as their chairs were turned inwards, forming a small circle. It felt like a mini break from the pressure of the day. They were in their own world, exchanging jokes and playful banter, completely oblivious to the surroundings.
Aryan (pointing to Dhruv): "Honestly, man, with all this secret dating life you've got going on, you should be the next lead in one of those romantic web series."
Karan (teasing): "Yeah, Dhruv. Just add a tragic backstory and you're all set!"
Dhruv (rolling his eyes): "Oh please, as if my life's not dramatic enough already."
Ananya (grinning): "Maybe we should all switch careers. Clearly, we're better at gossiping than coding."
The four of them burst into laughter, not realising that Manvi had quietly walked up behind them, arms crossed, watching the impromptu social circle unfold. She cleared her throat loudly, causing everyone to jump in their seats.
Manvi (raising an eyebrow): "Glad to see you're all so... productive."
The laughter died down instantly as Karan and Dhruv turned around, faces turning pale.
Manvi: "Karan, Dhruv, in my cabin. Now."
Both of them exchanged nervous glances.
Karan (whispering to Dhruv): "I think we're dead."
Dhruv (muttering back): "I'll leave a note for my family."
They reluctantly got up from their seats and followed Manvi into her cabin. Ananya and Aryan watched them walk away, suppressing giggles.
Inside Manvi's cabin, the atmosphere was tense. Manvi sat behind her desk, fingers tapping rhythmically as she eyed them both.
Manvi: "So... care to explain what was so important that it required a full-on team meeting... with a game of Ludo?"
Karan (sheepishly): "Uh, well... we were just, you know, trying to lighten up... clear our minds..."
Dhruv (trying to back him up): "Yeah, we were brainstorming. Sometimes, great ideas come when you're relaxed."
Manvi (narrowing her eyes): "Oh really? So tell me, what great ideas did you come up with for Miss Watson's meeting which is nearly two hours from now?"
The room fell silent. Dhruv and Karan exchanged guilty looks, clearly empty-handed in the ideas department.
Dhruv (sighing): "Honestly, Manvi, there's no way we can meet the 30% cost reduction that Jess promised Miss Watson."
Manvi (leaning forward): "How much can you do it effectively?"
Karan (nodding vigorously): "We crunched the numbers, and optimised every bit we could, 7-8% is the best we can stretch to."
Manvi leaned back in her chair, thinking deeply for a moment.
Manvi: "Alright, listen up. Here's what you're going to do. Go to Miss Watson and be upfront. Tell her that you were... overly optimistic with that 30% figure when her secretary asked. But instead, offer a concrete plan with a 10% reduction and pitch an earlier deadline as a bonus."
Dhruv (raising an eyebrow): "But Manvi, we can't even hit 10%."
Manvi (rolling her eyes): "That's just for the pitch. You're not actually delivering 10%. You'll deliver 7-8% but package it so impressively that she doesn't mind the slight shortfall."
Karan (looking confused): "So... we bluff?"
Manvi (smirking): "Think of it as strategic optimism. You sell her the vision, not just the numbers. And if she still seems unimpressed, throw in a faster delivery date. Clients love quick turnarounds."
Dhruv let out a low whistle, clearly impressed.
Dhruv (grinning): "Manvi, you're a genius. That's... actually brilliant."
Karan (with a grin): "Yeah, let's call it 'strategic optimism' and hope she buys it."
Manvi waved them off with a dismissive hand.
Manvi: "Good. Now get out there, figure out that pitch, and stop using the cubicle room as your personal playground."
Karan and Dhruv, relieved and slightly amused, left her cabin with a renewed sense of purpose.
Karan (whispering to Dhruv as they exited): "Manvi's right. We just need to sell confidence."
Dhruv (nodding): "Yeah, but if this fails, you're paying for all our farewell party drinks."
The two burst into laughter, the weight of the challenge ahead feeling a tad lighter now.
Meeting with Miss Watson:
Dhruv and Karan stood outside the glass-walled conference room, nerves etched on their faces. Karan tugged at his collar, whispering to Dhruv, "Bro, why do I feel like we're walking into a lion's den?"
Dhruv took a deep breath, adjusting his tie. "Just stick to the plan, and whatever happens, remember it was Manvi's idea, not ours."
They pushed the door open and stepped inside, greeted by the sight of Miss Watson seated at the head of the table, her piercing blue eyes fixed on them. Her aura was intimidating, with a sharp business suit that added to her no-nonsense demeanour. The room was silent, save for the ticking clock on the wall.
Miss Watson gestured to the chairs opposite her. "Gentlemen, take a seat."
They both sat down, trying to mask their nerves. Dhruv cleared his throat and began, "Thank you for seeing us on such short notice, Miss Watson. We've come up with a strategy that offers a competitive edge—though we need to clarify something upfront."
Her eyebrows arched in curiosity. "Go on."
Karan jumped in, "There was...a slight misunderstanding. Jess, your secretary, might have mentioned a 30% cost reduction, but in reality, we—"
Miss Watson cut him off, her voice cold and sharp. "You lied to get this meeting, didn't you?"
Dhruv shot Karan a quick look, then turned back to Miss Watson. "It wasn't intentional, ma'am. We were eager to showcase our strengths. We can realistically offer a 10% cost reduction with an even more efficient roadmap than our competitors."
She leaned back in her chair, eyes narrowing. "10%? That's a far cry from the 30% your team promised."
Karan, feeling the sweat trickle down his back, stammered, "Yes, but—uh—if I may add, we're willing to expedite the delivery to meet an earlier deadline."
Miss Watson folded her arms, clearly unimpressed. "So, not only did you come in here with less than what was promised, but now you're trying to sell me on speed instead of value?"
Dhruv leaned forward, his voice calm but firm, "Look, Miss Watson, we know trust is essential. We're not here to waste your time. The 10% reduction is not just numbers on a sheet. It's backed by a solid execution plan that will save you resources in the long run. And the expedited timeline ensures you get results faster. We're asking for a chance to prove ourselves, and we believe we can exceed your expectations."
A heavy silence hung in the room as Miss Watson eyed them critically. The atmosphere was tense as she began flipping through their proposal, occasionally glancing up at them with a sceptical look. For the next few minutes, she grilled them on the finer details of their plan—questioning everything from the resource allocation to timelines, project scalability, and potential risks.
Dhruv and Karan tried their best to answer her questions with confidence, but it was clear they were struggling to keep up with her sharp interrogation. Karan stumbled a bit while explaining their contingency plans, while Dhruv managed to cover up a gap in their cost analysis by offering an alternative approach.
Miss Watson's face remained unreadable throughout, her expression one of calculated scrutiny. Now and then, she scribbled notes on a pad, her pen moving rapidly as if dissecting every word they said.
After what felt like an eternity of intense back-and-forth, Miss Watson finally put her pen down, letting out a sigh. She leaned back in her chair, eyes narrowing slightly.
Dhruv and Karan held their breath, waiting for the verdict.
Finally, Miss Watson broke the silence, tapping her pen on the table. "Alright. I've heard what you had to say. Given the adjustments and the expedited timeline you've proposed, I'll have to think about it. I'll review everything in detail and get back to you with my decision tomorrow."
Both Dhruv and Karan exhaled silently, a mix of relief and anxiety washing over them. They had managed to survive the grilling, but the outcome was still hanging by a thread.
As they gathered their files and stood up to leave, Jess walked in, her face flushed with embarrassment. "Hey, guys, I'm really sorry for the confusion. I think I over-promised, and—"
Karan cut her off with a playful grin, "Well, Jess, you certainly know how to spice up our meetings. Next time, maybe promise the moon. Who knows, we might just deliver it."
Jess giggled, clearly relieved that they weren't angry with her. Dhruv joined in with a chuckle, "No worries, Jess. Just don't promise any more 30% miracles without checking with us first."
The three of them laughed, the tension of the meeting slowly dissipating. Jess smiled appreciatively, "I owe you guys a drink for covering my back."
Karan winked, "We'll hold you to that."
Back in the office,
Ananya sat at her cubicle, her fingers hovering over the keyboard, but her mind was clearly elsewhere. She had been staring at the same line of code for the past ten minutes, her thoughts a tangled mess. Aryan, who was seated just a few desks away, noticed her unusual silence. He leaned over, trying to catch her attention.
Aryan (gently): "Hey, Ananya. Everything okay? You seem... off today."
Ananya hesitated, her fingers clenching slightly as if debating whether to share what was on her mind. Finally, she let out a deep sigh, turning to face Aryan with a troubled expression.
Ananya (softly, almost reluctantly): "Aryan... don't you ever feel like... we're just the background players here? Like we're never the ones Manav or Manvi really rely on when it matters?"
Aryan raised an eyebrow, clearly caught off guard by her question. He leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms as he tried to understand where this was coming from.
Aryan (confused): "What do you mean? We're part of the team, Ananya. We do our part, don't we?"
Ananya shook her head, frustration bubbling up inside her.
Ananya (voice tinged with bitterness): "No, Aryan. Think about it. Every time there's a big client meeting or an important decision to make, it's always Dhruv and Karan who are called in. They're the ones Manav trusts. They're the ones given the responsibility. Meanwhile, we're just... here, doing the basic grunt work, coding away in the corner like... like we're not capable of handling anything more."
Aryan blinked, her words striking a chord he hadn't realised was there. He shifted uncomfortably in his seat, avoiding her gaze for a moment.
Aryan (hesitant): "Maybe it's because... they have more experience? Or maybe Manav just thinks they're better suited for those high-stakes situations?"
Ananya (voice cracking slightly): "Or maybe... they just don't think we're good enough. That we're not capable of handling the pressure or the responsibility. I've been here as long as they have, Aryan. I work just as hard, if not harder sometimes, but it's like... I'm invisible to them when it really matters."
Aryan swallowed, her words leaving a bitter taste in his mouth. He had always brushed off those nagging feelings of being overlooked, but now that Ananya put it into words, he couldn't ignore the sting of truth in them.
Aryan (voice low, almost defeated): "Yeah... I get what you're saying. It's like we're stuck in this... this rut. No matter how much we do, we're never the first choice. We're just... the safe backup option."
Ananya nodded, her eyes glistening with frustration and hurt. She turned away, pretending to focus on her screen, but it was clear that her mind was spiralling.
Ananya (almost whispering): "Sometimes I wonder if we're ever going to get the chance to prove ourselves... or if this is all we'll ever be. Just the support team."
Aryan didn't know how to respond. A heavy silence hung between them, the weight of unspoken doubts and insecurities pressing down on them both. He glanced over at Dhruv and Karan's empty desks, feeling a pang of envy he wished he could deny.
Aryan (finally, with a defeated sigh): "I guess... this is just how it is. Some people get the spotlight, and some of us... we're just here to keep things running in the background."
Ananya didn't respond, her expression turning even more sombre. The two of them sat there, lost in their thoughts, the hum of the office around them feeling distant and cold.
For the first time, they both felt a creeping sense of resignation, a painful realisation that perhaps they were seen as nothing more than expendable parts in a machine—a machine that only valued them for the mundane tasks they could handle while the real challenges were given to those deemed more worthy.
No words of encouragement were exchanged, no promises to prove themselves next time. Just a lingering sense of inadequacy, a silent acknowledgment of a reality neither of them wanted to accept but couldn't deny any longer.
The hum of keyboards clacking filled the air as Manvi strolled down the aisle between cubicles, her sharp eyes scanning the room to ensure everyone was working diligently. She paused briefly behind some desks, giving nods of approval to those engrossed in their screens. As she approached Aryan and Ananya's desks, she slowed down, noticing their distracted expressions.
Manvi (briskly): "Hey, Aryan. Ananya. Have Karan and Dhruv returned yet?"
Aryan (glancing up, shaking his head): "Nope, not yet, Manvi."
Manvi gave a quick nod, ready to turn on her heels and continue her rounds when Ananya's voice hesitated behind her.
Ananya (nervously, biting her lip): "Um... Manvi, can I ask you something?"
Aryan's eyes widened slightly, and he subtly shook his head at Ananya, signalling her to let it go. But she had already made up her mind, her vulnerability and frustration bubbling to the surface.
Manvi (turning around, eyebrow raised): "Sure, Ananya. What's on your mind?"
Ananya took a deep breath, her hands wringing together under the desk as if she was gathering the courage to voice the thoughts she had kept buried.
Ananya (softly, but with a hint of bitterness): "I just... I don't understand. Why is it that every important project, every big client meeting is always given to Dhruv and Karan? Aryan and I... we're always sidelined, doing the smaller parts of the project. It's like... we're never trusted with anything significant."
The weight of her words hung in the air, and Aryan shifted uncomfortably in his seat, clearly uneasy with where this conversation was heading. Manvi, however, listened intently, her expression softening slightly as she caught the genuine concern and frustration in Ananya's voice.
Manvi (pausing thoughtfully before responding): "I get where you're coming from, Ananya. And I appreciate you speaking up. But let me tell you something—it's not about sidelining anyone. Dhruv and Karan aren't given these responsibilities because we favour them. They're given the harder jobs because they've proven themselves time and time again. They've shown that they can handle the pressure, that they can think on their feet."
Ananya blinked, a mix of confusion and hurt crossing her features. Aryan, who had been avoiding eye contact, now looked up, clearly curious about what Manvi was going to say.
Ananya (still hesitant): "But... doesn't that mean you don't trust us? That we're not seen as capable?"
Manvi shook her head, a faint smile tugging at her lips as she leaned against a nearby desk, crossing her arms.
Manvi (patiently): "It's not about trust, Ananya. It's about experience. When something high-stakes comes up, we can't afford to take risks. We need to send our best people, the ones who've been in these situations before. Karan and Dhruv have been through the fire. They've pulled off near-impossible deals because they trust themselves to figure it out, even if they don't have a solid plan going in. It's not just about you two. Do you realise that on this entire floor, there are teams with more experience, people who've been here longer than you, Karan, or even Dhruv? Manav didn't choose from those seasoned teams when it came to this American project. He chose Dhruv and Karan because, despite their relatively shorter tenure, they've proven time and again that they can get the job done when it matters most. "You see, Karan and Dhruv have something extra that goes beyond just coding. They have a natural knack for business, an understanding of what the client truly wants, and most importantly, they know how to negotiate. Whether it's attending high-stakes meetings, giving crucial presentations, or representing us at conferences—they excel because they grasp the bigger picture. They can think on their feet and adapt their strategies, ensuring that we don't just get the project done but also secure the client's trust.""
Ananya's shoulders slumped slightly, her frustration giving way to a deeper sense of inadequacy. Aryan looked down, absorbing Manvi's words, a hint of self-doubt creeping into his usually confident demeanour.
"You think they didn't have doubts? That they were confident all along? No. They were as clueless about this American project as anyone else. But they were chosen because, when it comes down to it, they've shown they can come up with solutions on the spot. That's what we needed for this deal—people who can perform under pressure."
Ananya nodded slowly, her brows furrowing in thought. But Manvi wasn't done. She could see the lingering doubts in both of their eyes.
Manvi (more earnestly): "And don't think for a second that Manav or I believe you two aren't capable. You've got the skills, you've got the potential. But these opportunities aren't just handed out. They're earned, one challenge at a time. You think you've been left out, but the truth is, everyone on this floor was left out except for them. Not because we don't trust you, but because they've earned the right to be thrown into the deep end."
Aryan looked over at Ananya, his eyes reflecting a shared sense of vulnerability they were both grappling with.
Ananya (voice cracking slightly): "But... What if we never get that chance? What if we're always just... the background players?"
Manvi gave a small, understanding smile, but there was a firmness in her gaze.
Manvi (matter-of-factly): "You will get your chance, Ananya. But it starts with believing in yourself, not envying others. When the time comes, put your hand up. Don't wait for someone to notice you. Make them notice you. But for now... learn. Learn from them, from every project, from every mistake. Your moment is coming. Just be ready when it does."
Manvi (pausing at the door, turning back to Ananya): "Oh, and Ananya... one last thing."
Ananya looked up, a bit startled, her eyes wide with anticipation. Aryan glanced between them, curious about what more Manvi had to say.
Manvi (with a warm smile): "I'm really proud of you for speaking up today. It takes courage to voice what's on your mind, especially when it's about something that's bothering you. Do you know how many people on this floor just clock in at 9, clock out at 5, and are content with collecting their paychecks?"
Ananya blinked, unsure of where this was going, but Manvi's words were starting to feel like a much-needed validation.
Manvi (continuing): "About 90% of them, if I'm being honest. Most people are happy just doing the minimum, staying in their comfort zones. But you... the fact that you're even questioning this, that you're thinking beyond just your daily tasks, it shows you want more. It shows you want to grow, to be the best."
Ananya's eyes softened, a faint smile playing on her lips. She hadn't expected to be appreciated for her frustration.
Ananya (hesitantly): "I... I just want to do more. To prove that I can handle bigger challenges."
Manvi (nodding approvingly): "And that's exactly what this company needs—people who aren't satisfied with just doing enough, but who are hungry for more. Keep that fire, Ananya. You're on the right path. When the opportunity comes, I know you'll grab it with both hands."
With that, Manvi gave a final nod and turned to leave. Ananya sat there for a moment, absorbing the unexpected praise, feeling a small spark of hope reigniting within her.
Aryan (whispering with a grin): "Looks like you're on someone's radar now."
Ananya (smiling faintly, but with renewed determination): "Maybe. But now I have to make sure I live up to it."
And with that, they turned back to their screens, a newfound determination simmering just beneath the surface.