Sanvi drives to Kaira's house, enjoying the music playing on the radio. The melodious voice of the singer fills the car as the song "Abhi Na Jao Chhod Kar" plays. Sanvi hums along, enjoying the music.
Haan yahi kahoge tum sada
Ke dil abhi bhara nahi
Haan dil abhi bhara nahi
Nahi nahi nahi nahi
As the song comes to an end, the RJ's voice fills the car. "And that was such a lovely song for all of you. Now, let's move on to some news."
The RJ continues, "And now, for some business news. Siddarth Mehra, CEO of Tech Inc., has returned to India after several years abroad. Rumors are circulating that Siddarth Mehra's return may be more than just a temporary visit; insiders claim that he is considering relocating permanently from the US headquarters to oversee the Indian company branch himself."
Sanvi's eyebrows furrow slightly as she listens to the news. Who is Siddarth Mehra? She doesn't recognize the name, but she has surely heard it somewhere. The mention of Tech Inc. sparks her interest; she has heard of the company before—they are a leading player in the tech industry.
As she continues driving, Sanvi wonders what this news might mean for the community. Will Siddarth Mehra's return bring new opportunities for people?
The RJ's voice interrupts her thoughts. "We'll be keeping an eye on his return and will continue to bring you more updates and information as soon as possible."
Sanvi turns down the volume and focuses on the road ahead. As she pulls up to Kaira's house, the name 'Siddarth Mehra' lingers in the back of her mind, leaving her with a faint sense of curiosity.
************
The Mercedes glides smoothly through the bustling city streets, its tinted windows concealing the occupant inside. The one and only Siddarth Mehra sits comfortably in the back seat, his eyes scanning the cityscape as it rushes past. He is a man in his late twenties, perfectly dressed in a tailored suit, exuding an air of confidence and authority. His dark hair is neatly combed back, and his sharp features are softened by a hint of his dimpled smile.
In his lap, a sleek leather briefcase rests, containing important documents and plans for the day ahead.
The person in the driver's seat occasionally glances at the back. Feeling his glance, Siddarth speaks in a velvety voice, filled with irritation, "What is it, Eshan?"
Eshan Vyas, childhood friend of Siddarth Mehra and a highly skilled cybersecurity expert with a knack for ethical hacking, works with Siddarth. He has also written books on computer security and hacking. His expertise in hacking began at a young age, where he would spend countless hours exploring the depths of the internet, uncovering vulnerabilities, and learning the intricacies of cybersecurity.
During his adolescence, Eshan used to hack into Siddarth's computer, playfully bothering him with harmless pranks and showing off his growing skills.
Eshan looks toward Siddarth, his voice filled with mischief. "Why are you always in serious mode, dude? Lighten up a bit. You just returned to India yesterday."
"I returned to make a difference, not to idle," said Siddarth.
Eshan grinned mischievously and said, "Hey Sid, I've got a new business idea." Hearing this, Siddarth thinks he must be about to tell him something important.
"How about we start a company that specializes in hacking into people's cars and playing 'Who Let the Dogs Out' on repeat?"
Siddarth, seated in the backseat, raised an eyebrow, "You are not at all funny, Eshan. If you don't shut up now, I will definitely throw you out of this car."
Eshan chuckled and said, "Hey, someone's got to keep things entertaining around here because you're always the same stoic, Sid."
Siddarth's expression remained stoic, but a hint of amusement flickered in his eyes. "Just focus on driving, Eshan. I don't want to end up in aditch somewhere."
"Yes, boss," said Eshan in his funny voice.
As Eshan continued to drive, he couldn't help but crack jokes. It was a familiar routine, one that had been honed over years of friendship.
Despite their differences - Eshan's carefree nature versus Siddarth's more serious demeanor - the two friends had always clicked.
***********
Siddarth Pov
As the car pulls up to the entrance of the modern office building, my eyes scan the glass facade reflecting the morning sun. It's my first day back in India after years abroad, and the weight of my new responsibilities sits heavy on my shoulders. I step out of the car, and Eshan, follows behind. The head of department and some staff members greet us at the entrance, handing me a bouquet of flowers.
"Good morning sir"
"Welcome back sir"
"Good morning sir"
"Welcome back sir"
"Welcome back sir"
"Welcome back, sir," they say in unison. I nod in acknowledgment, my mind already racing with thoughts of the impending meeting. Rohan, my assistant, steps forward with a warm smile.
"Good morning, sir. I've arrived early to ensure everything is set." I nod again, appreciating his efficiency, and make my way toward the office building that stands tall above us.
Rohan has been my secretary for the last five years, and for good reason. He is highly professional, efficient, and organized. With his proactive ability, he anticipates my needs and prepares everything for success. This foresight has often saved time and avoided potential issues.
The automatic doors slide open, and I am welcomed into the spacious and elegantly designed lobby. Polished marble floors, sleek furniture, and contemporary art pieces create an atmosphere of sophistication. The receptionist at the front desk greets me with a professional smile. "Good morning, Mr. Mehra. Welcome back." I nod, my focus on the meeting ahead.
I nod in acknowledgment and make my way through the lobby. The open-plan office ahead is a hive of activity. Employees are energetically preparing for the day, the hum of conversations and the clatter of keyboards filling the space. Ergonomic workstations are neatly arranged, each equipped with state-of-the-art technology. Large windows flood the area with natural light, creating a bright and inviting environment.
As I walk through the open-plan office, I can feel the energy in the air. Employees are bustling around, preparing for the day. Some glance up as I pass, their eyes filled with curiosity and a hint of nervousness. My presence commands attention, and I can hear whispers of admiration and respect ripple through the room.
Rohan hands me a folder with the agenda for the meeting as we reach the corridor leading to the conference room. "Everything is set for your meeting with the Board of Directors, Mr. Mehra," he says reassuringly. I take the folder, feeling the weight of responsibility and the excitement of the challenges ahead.
I nod appreciatively. With the folder in hand, I make my way through the open-plan office. The energy is palpable as employees continue their work, casting curious glances as I pass by. My presence commands attention, and a few whispers of admiration and respect ripple through the air.
As I walk, I notice the familiar design of the office. The large windows flood the space with natural light, reflecting off the sleek workstations and ergonomic chairs. Inspirational quotes and company achievements adorn the walls, adding to the vibrant atmosphere.
I reach the corridor leading to the meeting room. The corridor is lined with framed photographs of significant company milestones, a testament to the hard work and dedication of the team. I take a moment to appreciate the journey the company has undertaken.
Finally, I reach the conference room. As I push open the door, the room falls silent. A spacious and elegantly designed space with a large conference table at its center. The room is equipped with the latest technology, including a large screen for presentations and video conferencing, filled with employees nervously glancing at the clock. The tension is palpable as everyone waits for my arrival. I walk with purpose to the head of the table, exuding authority and determination.
As I enter, all department heads and some more staff, including Eshan, who is the head of the Technology department, rise to greet me. Mr. Khanna, steps forward with a warm smile. "Welcome, Mr. Mehra. We're eager to hear your insights and discuss our plans for the future."
I extend my hand for a firm handshake. "Thank you, Mr. Khanna. It's great to be here." The members take their seats, and I move to the head of the table, ready to lead the discussion. I place the folder on the table and take a deep breath, feeling the weight of responsibility and the excitement of the challenges ahead.
I scan the room, my gaze lingering on the two executives who had been under investigation—Mr. Jain and Ms. Patel. Their actions had been unacceptable, and I had the evidence to prove it.
"Good morning, everyone," I begin, my voice firm and authoritative. "I trust you're all aware of the challenges facing our company. But what you may not know is that some of our own people have been contributing to those challenges."
My eyes lock onto Mr. Jain and Ms. Patel. "It has come to my attention that both of you have been embezzling company funds, using them for personal gain. Mr. Jain, you've been using company money to finance your own business ventures. And Ms. Patel, you've been siphoning off funds to pay for your lavish lifestyle."
Mr. Jain speaks up, his voice trembling. "Sidda.., I..I mean sir..... I... I can explain—"
"Explain?" I cut him off. "You've been stealing from this company for years. There's no explanation for that."
Ms. Patel looks like she is about to cry. "Siddarth sir, please...I'm sorry. I didn't mean to—"
"Sorry?" I repeat. "Sorry isn't enough. You've broken the trust of this company and its employees. You're both fired, effective immediately. And I will be pressing charges to the fullest extent of the law."
As I hand them their termination letters, the shock and fear on their faces are evident as they are escorted out by security. I turn my attention back to the group. "We will not tolerate any form of fraud or misconduct. This company stands for integrity, and I expect everyone to uphold these values. Together, we will build a brighter future."
The employees' faces, capturing the mix of relief and respect taking over their expressions. I open the meeting with a confident tone. "Thank you all for being here. Let's dive into our key agenda items. Firstly, we need to address our upcoming product launch. The R&D team has made significant progress, and we need to ensure that our marketing strategy is aligned to maximize the impact."
Mr. Sharma, the head of product development, speaks up. "We've integrated cutting-edge AI and machine learning capabilities into our new software. The beta tests have shown promising results, and we believe this will set us apart in the market."
Ms. Verma, the head of marketing, adds, "We're planning a comprehensive digital marketing campaign, leveraging social media, influencer partnerships, and targeted ads. Our goal is to create a buzz and drive early adoption."
I nod approvingly. "Excellent. Let's ensure that our sales team is also equipped with the necessary training to effectively communicate the benefits of the new product to our clients."
Mr. Kapoor, the head of sales, chimes in. "We've already scheduled training sessions and prepared detailed product guides. Our team is excited and ready to take this to market."
As I am about to finish meeting, my phone buzzes. I glance at the screen and see it's a call from my sister, Arya. I pick up the call. "Arya?? , bolo kya hua?"
("Arya? what happened?")
I can hear her laughing on the other end. "Bhai! Bas aapse haal chaal poochna tha. Company ka kaam kaisa chal raha hai? Kya aapne kisi ko office se bahar nikala hai abhi tak?"
("Brother! I just wanted to check in on you. How's the company work going? Have you kicked anyone out of the office yet?")
I smile. " I'll call you later; I am in the middle of a meeting."
"WAIT! I have a very important question for you."
"Haan, pucho."
("Yes, ask.")
"Bhai, agar aap ek sabzi hote, toh kaunsi sabzi hote aur kyun?"
("Brother, if you were a vegetable, which one would you be and why?")
WHAATTT???
Seriously, I don't want to answer this weird question, but I can't make her sad. "A vegetable, huh? I'd probably be a carrot. They're healthy, versatile, and can add a bit of crunch to any dish." I whisper quietly as much as possible.
Arya giggles. "Carrot, huh? Nice choice. Well, Mr. Carrot, when are you coming back home?"
"I'll be home soon. I just need to wrap up a few things here. Probably in the next couple of hours."
"Great! I am planning to make your favorite biryani, so don't be late."
"See you soon, bhai! Take care and bring Eshan bhai too!"
WAIT A MOMENT, DID SHE JUST SAY SHE'D MAKE BIRYANI? NOOOO!!!
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