Chapter 3

St. Xavier's College:-

Diksha's POV:-

Sejal and I went to ask Anirudh about the internship and Vedant came hopping after us. We found him near the main hall.

"Anirudh, did you ask everyone about the internship... I mean which company do they want to opt for?"

"No, Not everyone, but a few. I will ask the rest after the last class, anyway, we still have time to give our response," he informed us.

"Yeah, that's right! But, it will be good if we do it soon." Sejal said in a chirpy voice… anyone could easily comprehend her excitement level, by her delighted tone. We chuckled at seeing her getting all happy like a 5 years old kid.

"Yes, but I know most of the students will select KV Technologies... I was telling the same to Shikhar, that time." He informed us.

"That's why I had suggested the name of KV Technologies in the student council's meeting." he further added.

"Wow duffer, You became quite intelligent, wonderful." I teased him.

Sejal and Vedant laughed while Anirudh made an irritated face.

"Finally, we will go for our internship... think Diksha, how much fun will it be... no?" Sejal said with a dreamy expression and twinkle in her eyes.

"No... they will make us work idiots... they won't make you sit and serve you." I smacked her head lightly.

"Ouch... why did you smack... see you spoiled my hair." She said annoyingly.

"Spoiled my hair." I mimicked her voice. Both the boys snickered and Anirudh went to the class.

"Shut up... you're very bad... don't talk to me... didn't even let me be happy properly." She said scowling.

"Huh... as if I'm dying to talk to you... 'Aww dear Sejal, please talk to me... please... please'... get lost... I'm going to class.. you keep standing and sulking over here... let's go Vedant." I said in a duh tone. And turned my heels to walk.

"Ohh, I was kidding... who will I talk to if not you... this chip-faced Vedant?" She cooed at me while making fun of Vedant.

"Hey, why the hell are you both dragging me in your useless-headless talk?" He said dramatically widening his already big eyes. We giggled and hit his head lightly.

"Drama queen" Sejal and I started together. We burst out laughing while Vedant was sulking now.

The bell ranged and we moved to our class laughing at his expense.

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KV Technologies

*2hrs ago*

Aakarsh's POV:-

I was sitting on my chair in the conference hall. The meeting was going on with just 4 people, Mr. Mehra, his assistant, Vivan, and I.

"See Mr. Mehra, this is the only ratio we can agree upon. You're free to take it or leave." I said to him,

We are supposed to have a deal together, but he's a very cunning man as I have sensed so far. He wants the profit ratio to be divided into 55:45 whereas I proposed to him 65:35, 65 for me, and 35 for him; after all, I'm the biggest investor.

"Mr. Verma, this is completely your profit, I would like you to rethink about it, please." He said

"See Mr. Mehra, your business is already sinking and your current plan to make it to the market again, is also not that appealing. In this case, if my money sinks, who would be held responsible for that? Still, I'm investing just on the basis of our past relationship with your company, that too at my own risk." I said in a confident tone. He looked bewildered.

"So I would suggest you agree to my terms where you don't have to worry about the loss if that happens. You will neither be blamed nor you have to compensate for it. Moreover, besides some major decisions, I'll not interfere in your plans for this project." I said with an intimidating look.

He remained silent for some time, then discussed something with his assistant.

"Mr. Verma, I request you to make it at least 60:40, it'll be more convenient for us that way." He said.

I thought for a moment about the pros and cons of it.

"Okay, fair enough Mr. Mehra, 60:40 it is then. My assistant will contact you as soon as the papers are ready. I wish you all the best for your project." I stood up and said with a handshake.

He looked happy and why not, a company as big as KV Technologies, is ready to invest in his company which is on the verge of getting bankrupt, then obviously it's a great reason to be happy, especially, when we ain't adding any extra clause.

Though I know his company isn't in a good state, yet I can see the potential and efficiency they have. I'm sure they will make it again and that's why I'm ready to take this huge risk. And there is no downside in helping the needy after looking at its pros and cons.

Not every person becomes your rival in business, some have to be the supporters and this deal will not only bring profit to me and my company but will make this man my biggest supporter... you must be wondering how... huh? That's what you call strategy in business.

*Present*

It had been a hectic day. The nerves of my head were having throbbing pain in it. But you see work comes first if you intend to be on top, so I just took a pill and talked to Maa for a few minutes.

I was reading an important file regarding the deal we proposed in the meeting when my phone rang. I received it without checking the caller ID.

"Hello!"

"Hello, baby boo!"

I straightened with a jerk listening to the voice.

"YOU!"

"Woah! Man, you still remember my voice, I thought you must have forgotten by now." He said and laughed.

"But, you know what, it really feels great to know that you still remember 'everything', even my voice." He said putting extra pressure on 'everything'.

"How dare you call me?" I said gritting my teeth. He still has the audacity to call me and talk so casually.

He laughed at my sentence. The nerve of this man... his call was already making me angry on top of that his evil laugh boiled my blood. I could never forget how evil of a person he is!

"Dare... dare, my brother, dare... you already know how daring I am or shall I remind you? hmm... some dares, some people... " He mocked me.

I clenched my fist as he said those words.

"Why the hell did you call me?" I said him,

"Hmm... now you asked a proper - sensible question. You see, I was missing my brother actually way too much, so I decided to meet him," he said.

"What do you mean, just come straight to the point." I stood up and asked him to get angrier.

"Alright, baby boo, let's keep it your way; I'm coming to meet you soon... very soon, but before that, a surprise will be waiting for you at your home, in two days. You see, the time has come to relive some old days... some old memories… see you soon brother... till then keep missing me." He laughed and hung up the call.

I was so furious that I threw my phone away and punched the wall next to me. Some drops of blood oozed out of my knuckles, but I care less.

"Why does he want to come back now? Everything was already destroyed once, not again, not this time. This time I won't let anything happen. I couldn't understand at that time, but now I do, now I definitely understand the difference between face and facade." It got me thinking about that incident. The flashbacks of those awful memories were painful enough to increase my headache.

"Vivaan get me my black coffee, immediately." I almost shouted and ordered him on the intercom and sat down on my chair. leaning into it. Closing my eyes I thought to get a short nap if possible. My eyes snapped open.

"What surprise was he talking about?"

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