The compound was alive with energy as the big day approached—the grand opening ceremony of The Foundation. Staff, volunteers, and children alike were busy preparing, each contributing to the vision that had come to life. The air was filled with the scent of fresh flowers, spices wafting from the kitchen, and the constant chatter of excited voices.
---
The Preparations Begin
The central courtyard, usually a calm and open space, was transformed into a hive of activity. Volunteers carried ladders and bundles of fairy lights, while some of the children helped place decorations under Priya's supervision. Others dashed between rooms, carrying supplies or sneaking peeks at the preparations, their excitement impossible to contain.
Hardik stood near the base of a ladder, holding a bundle of lights while one of the staff climbed up to secure them along the arches surrounding the courtyard. "Higher! No, a little to the left," Hardik instructed, squinting up at the string.
"Hardik, stop micromanaging!" Priya called, balancing a box of streamers in one hand. "You're making everyone nervous."
"I'm not micromanaging," Hardik protested with a grin. "I'm just ensuring perfection."
Nearby, a group of kids surrounded Priya, eagerly grabbing streamers from the box. "Where do these go, Priya Didi?" one of them asked, tugging at her kurta.
"Over there by the garden fence," Priya replied. "And make it colorful!"
As the kids scampered off, Hardik turned to see Avyanshi emerging from the kitchen, her sleeves rolled up and her cheeks flushed from the heat of the stove.
"How's it going in there?" he asked, leaning casually against the ladder.
"Busy," she replied, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "The cooks are working on the sweets, but they needed help with the laddoos. I didn't realize shaping those little spheres was such an art."
"Sounds like fun," Hardik said with a smirk. "Maybe I should give it a try."
"Please don't," she teased. "We're trying to feed people, not scare them away."
"Oh, ye of little faith," Hardik shot back, pretending to look offended.
They exchanged a playful smile before getting back to work. Hardik climbed the ladder, deftly securing another string of lights, while Avyanshi moved to help the children decorate the garden fence. The entire courtyard began to transform, every corner glowing with color, light, and life.
---
Switching Roles
As the afternoon stretched into evening, the team decided to swap roles.
"I'll take over the kitchen," Hardik announced, stepping into the mess hall where Avyanshi was overseeing preparations.
"Are you sure about that?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Positive," he said, slipping on an apron. "Go help with the decorations. I've got this under control."
Skeptical but intrigued, Avyanshi handed over the reins and joined the decorating team in the courtyard. Within minutes, she had organized the volunteers, directing them with precision and flair. Under her guidance, the central hall was transformed into a wonderland of lights, flowers, and banners bearing The Foundation's new name.
Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Hardik was in his element—or so he thought. He stood at the stove, stirring a large pot of kheer, carefully following the recipe in his head.
"Sir, are you sure about the sugar?" one of the cooks asked, watching him with mild amusement.
"Completely," Hardik replied, tasting the mixture and nodding with satisfaction. "This is going to be amazing."
The children peeked into the kitchen, their eyes lighting up when they saw him cooking. "Hardik Bhaiya, can we help?"
"Of course," he said, handing them bowls of nuts to sprinkle on the desserts. "But no sneaking bites!"
The kids giggled, happily helping while sneaking the occasional taste when they thought Hardik wasn't looking.
---
A Sweet Moment
By sunset, the preparations were complete. The courtyard sparkled with fairy lights, the mess hall was filled with the aroma of freshly cooked dishes, and the entire compound radiated a sense of anticipation.
Exhausted but satisfied, Avyanshi sank onto a bench in the courtyard, letting out a long sigh. Her hair was slightly disheveled, and her cheeks were flushed, but her smile was radiant as she surveyed the beautiful decorations.
Hardik approached her, holding a small bowl of kheer. "For you, madam," he said, presenting it with a flourish. "A reward for all your hard work."
"You made this?" she asked, raising an eyebrow in surprise.
"I did," he said, sitting beside her. "Go ahead, try it."
She took a spoonful, her expression shifting from curiosity to delight. "Hardik, this is… really good!"
He grinned, leaning back against the bench. "Told you. I'm a man of many talents."
"I'll admit it," she said, taking another bite. "You're a decent cook. But don't let it go to your head."
"Oh, it's already there," he teased, watching her savor the dessert.
---
Tickle Wars
As they sat in comfortable silence, Avyanshi smirked. "You know, for all your confidence, I was fully prepared to gag and pretend it was terrible."
Hardik froze, narrowing his eyes at her. "You wouldn't dare."
"Wouldn't I?" she said, raising an eyebrow.
Before she could blink, he pounced, his fingers finding her sides as he began to tickle her mercilessly.
"Hardik! Stop!" she shrieked, laughing uncontrollably. "I can't—breathe!"
"Not until you admit that I'm more than a decent cook!" he said, grinning as he continued his assault.
"Okay! You're amazing!" she managed between gasps of laughter. "Now, stop!"
"Say it again," he demanded, his voice playful but relentless.
"You're amazing! And a great cook!" she yelled, tears streaming down her face from laughter.
Satisfied, Hardik finally stopped, sitting back and crossing his arms triumphantly. "That's better."
---
An Unexpected Arrival
As their laughter subsided, a faint sound broke through the evening quiet—a car engine approaching the compound. Both Hardik and Avyanshi turned toward the entrance as the sleek black Bentley rolled into view, its polished surface gleaming under the lights.
"That's your dad's car, isn't it?" Avyanshi asked, quickly straightening her kurta and brushing her hair into place.
"It is," Hardik said, standing and smoothing his shirt. "And if he's here, my mum won't be far behind."
As the car came to a stop, the doors opened, revealing Rajiv Banerjee stepping out in his usual composed manner, followed by Meera Banerjee, who looked as excited as ever.
"Ready?" Hardik asked, glancing at Avyanshi with a small smile.
"Always," she replied, her silver eyes shining with anticipation.
Hand in hand, they walked toward the car, ready to welcome Hardik's parents to the compound and share in the joy of the occasion.
Chapter 8 Continued: The Meeting
The Bentley glided to a smooth stop in front of The Foundation's grand entrance, its polished black surface reflecting the twinkling fairy lights strung across the compound. Hardik and Avyanshi stood side by side, their hands brushing for a moment before Hardik gave her a reassuring glance.
The car door opened, and Rajiv Banerjee stepped out, his crisp suit a testament to his refined demeanor. His presence carried the same air of authority Hardik had grown up with, and yet there was a hint of curiosity in his sharp gaze. Meera Banerjee followed shortly after, her warm, welcoming smile a sharp contrast to her husband's composed formality.
---
The Warm Greetings
Without a moment's hesitation, Avyanshi moved forward and bent down gracefully to touch Meera's feet. The elder woman's eyes widened in pleasant surprise, and she quickly reached out to lift Avyanshi back up.
"Oh, beta, you needn't do that," Meera said, her tone kind but flustered.
"It's my way of showing respect," Avyanshi replied softly, smiling up at her.
Meera beamed, patting her gently on the shoulder. "You are still as well mannered as you were when you came by our house all those years back"
Avyanshi smiles and nods, turning around, bending to touch Rajiv's feet. The stoic businessman blinked in surprise, stepping back slightly.
"There's no need for that," he said firmly, holding up a hand as though to stop her.
Avyanshi straightened with a polite nod. "It's my way of saying thank you, sir. For everything."
Before Rajiv could respond, Hardik, clearly not one to miss an opportunity for humor, stepped forward and bent down dramatically to touch his mother's and then his father's feet.
Meera covered her mouth to stifle a giggle, while Rajiv simply raised an eyebrow, making no effort to stop his son.
Straightening with exaggerated effort, Hardik placed a hand over his heart and gave his father a mock-offended look. "No objections when it's me, Father? Not even a token protest? Are there no favorites in this family?"
Rajiv narrowed his eyes slightly, his lips twitching as if suppressing a smile. "Maybe I've just been waiting for you to remember to show some respect."
The words were delivered in such a serious tone that the air around them seemed to grow heavy. Hardik blinked, momentarily unsure if his father was joking or reprimanding him. Meera's brow furrowed slightly, and Avyanshi shot a quick, concerned glance between father and son.
For a moment, Rajiv maintained his stern expression, his piercing gaze locked on his son's. Then, his lips broke into a rare smile, and he chuckled—a deep, unexpected sound that immediately lightened the atmosphere.
Hardik let out a laugh of his own, shaking his head. "You really had me for a second, Papa. That was good."
"Respect your elders," Rajiv said with a mock-stern voice, his shoulders relaxing as he clasped a hand on Hardik's shoulder.
Meera sighed, shaking her head at the two of them. "You both are impossible. Honestly, Rajiv, you're worse than him sometimes."
"I think I've been a good influence," Hardik quipped, straightening his shirt.
Avyanshi, still recovering from the brief moment of tension, let out a relieved laugh. "You two are something else."
"Something else indeed," Meera muttered under her breath, though her smile softened her words.
With a playful glint in her eye, Avyanshi mock-punched Hardik's arm. "You nearly gave me a heart attack. Don't do that!"
"Ow!" Hardik said dramatically, rubbing his arm. "What is this, gang up on Hardik day? First my father, now you?"
"You deserve it," Avyanshi shot back, crossing her arms with a smirk.
---
Walking Toward the Foundation
Rajiv took a step forward, glancing around at the compound. "This is the place you've been talking so much about?"
Hardik grinned, spreading his arms as if to present the entire campus. "This is it. The dream, the hard work, and everything we've been building toward. Welcome to The Foundation."
"Impressive," Rajiv said, his voice neutral but his eyes showing faint approval.
"It's beautiful," Meera said warmly, her gaze sweeping over the well-lit pathways and lush greenery. She turned to Avyanshi, her expression full of affection. "You've clearly put your heart into this, beta. It shows."
"Thank you, Aunty," Avyanshi said, her cheeks tinged pink.
Hardik gestured toward the main building, his excitement bubbling over. "Come on, we'll give you the full tour. This place—it's everything we dreamed of, and more."
Meera placed a gentle hand on her son's arm, her pride shining through. "Lead the way, beta. I can't wait to see what you've accomplished."
Rajiv nodded, his usual composure giving way to genuine curiosity. "Let's see if this lives up to the hype you've been giving it."
Hardik smirked. "Oh, trust me, it does."
With Avyanshi by his side and his parents following, Hardik led the way into the heart of the compound, the light banter and shared smiles a perfect beginning to the evening ahead.
The warm glow of fairy lights reflected off the sleek marble floors as Hardik led his parents into the main building of The Foundation. The children's laughter echoed faintly through the hallways, mingling with the sound of feet shuffling and the occasional instruction from the volunteers finishing up the final preparations. Avyanshi walked beside Meera, occasionally glancing at Hardik, who exuded a sense of pride and purpose as he began to explain the intricacies of the compound.
---
The Tour Begins
Hardik stopped in the central lobby, gesturing toward the glass-panelled walls that allowed a clear view of the sprawling courtyard outside.
"This is the heart of the compound," he began, his voice calm but charged with excitement. "From here, you can access every major wing of The Foundation."
He pointed to the left. "That's the residential wing. It has dormitories for the children and quarters for staff. Each dormitory is spacious, with beds, study desks, and storage. We've ensured natural light in every room, along with ventilation systems to keep the air fresh."
Rajiv nodded appreciatively, his sharp eyes scanning the design. "Impressive. How many children can you accommodate?"
"A hundred, comfortably," Hardik replied. "But we have space to expand. The entire compound is modular, so if we need additional dorms in the future, we can add them seamlessly without disrupting the current setup."
"Forward-thinking," Rajiv commented, clearly impressed.
---
The Classrooms
Hardik led them down a hallway to the classrooms, pushing open one of the glass doors to reveal a bright and welcoming learning space. Desks and chairs were arranged neatly, a smart board stood at the front, and shelves filled with books and supplies lined the walls.
"These are the classrooms," Hardik explained. "Each is equipped with modern teaching tools—smart boards, laptops, and even interactive learning software. The idea is to give these kids access to the same quality of education as any top-tier private school."
Meera walked over to one of the desks, running her hand along its polished surface. "It feels warm, inviting," she said. "Not cold or clinical like some schools."
"That's all thanks to Avyanshi," Hardik said with a smile, glancing at her. "She made sure every corner felt homely."
Avyanshi smiled back, her cheeks tinged with a faint blush.
---
The Mess Hall and Medical Wing
Next, they visited the mess hall, a spacious area with rows of polished wooden tables and a buffet-style serving area. The scent of freshly cooked food still lingered in the air from earlier preparations.
"This is the mess hall," Hardik said. "The food served here is carefully planned with a focus on nutrition. We want these kids to grow up healthy, so we're working with a nutritionist to create balanced meal plans."
"Very well done," Meera said approvingly.
From there, they moved to the medical wing. Hardik opened the door to a consultation room, revealing clean white walls, an examination table, and a cabinet stocked with basic medical supplies.
"We have a small clinic here," Hardik explained. "It's equipped for first aid and minor health issues. For anything serious, we have partnerships with nearby hospitals to ensure the kids get immediate care."
---
Rajiv's Question
As they continued the tour, Rajiv's sharp gaze swept over the buildings, the equipment, and the facilities. Finally, as they exited the medical wing, he spoke.
"This is all very impressive, Hardik," Rajiv said, his tone thoughtful. "But I have to ask—where did you get the additional funds for a place of this scale? This compound couldn't have come cheap, even with the funds I allocated."
The question caught Avyanshi off guard. She glanced at Rajiv, puzzled. "Wait, you weren't the one who provided all the funds for this?"
Hardik quickly stepped in, raising a hand to ease the speculation. "I run a secret cartel that none of you know about" at seeing all of their deadpan stares he laughs heartily saying. "I've been smart with my money. I have stock investments and a few side businesses that generate enough 'spare change' to handle the rest."
"Spare change?" Avyanshi repeated, raising an eyebrow. "Seriously?"
Hardik grinned, brushing off her chagrin. "And, of course, I called in a few favors. Let's just say some old acquaintances owed me, and I collected."
Rajiv's expression softened into a faint smile. "Smart. You've learned well. I'm proud of you."
"And you should be proud of her too," Hardik added, nodding toward Avyanshi. "She's the reason this place feels warm and welcoming. I may have funded the infrastructure, but she's the heart of it."
Rajiv's gaze shifted to Avyanshi, his expression warming. "You've done a remarkable job, beta. Hardik's right—this place doesn't just look functional; it feels like home."
"Thank you, sir," Avyanshi said with a small smile, her cheeks flushing.
---
Setting Up the Rooms
After the tour, Meera insisted on helping Avyanshi set up rooms for the children, much to Avyanshi's polite protests.
"Aunty, you're our guest," Avyanshi said, trying to take the bedding from her hands. "You shouldn't be doing this."
"Nonsense," Meera replied, waving her off. "I'm restless. Sitting idle isn't for me. Let me help."
As Meera busied herself arranging pillows, Avyanshi brushed past Hardik, lowering her voice to whisper. "Why are your parents doing this? They're our guests!"
Hardik smirked, leaning closer. "You don't know them yet. My mother doesn't know how to sit still, and my father—if he wasn't tired from his business meetings today—would probably be even more involved than she is."
Avyanshi sighed, shaking her head. "You Banerjees are something else."
"And you'll get used to it," he said, grinning.
---
Another Arrival
As they finished setting up the rooms, the sound of another car pulling into the compound drew their attention. Hardik and Avyanshi exchanged a glance before heading to the entrance, where a sleek sedan had just come to a stop.
The door opened, and Avyanshi's father stepped out, his posture straight and his expression thoughtful as he took in the compound. Her mother followed, her eyes lighting up as they fell on her daughter and the welcoming sight of The Foundation.
"They're here," Hardik said softly, glancing at Avyanshi.
"Let's go," she replied, her voice steady despite the nervous flutter in her chest.
With that, they walked forward to greet her parents, ready for the next chapter of the day's events.