Mumbai city was lit up on this Saturday evening. Traffic along the roads, hustle and bustle all around the city. Amongst this noise and chaos, IBM and YUVA got ready to launch their first ever consultancy company.
In a sweet, posh hotel in Bandra, Yuvaan drove to find his parking, and entered the prepping room. His aura screamed dominance and rage. He inspected closely. When it came to work, he didn't take things lightly. He needed perfection.
"Yuvaan! Hello!" Rupert called him.
"Everything looks good Rupert." Yuvaan replied.
"Thank you! Not without your help!"
"When are we expecting guests to arrive?"
"It's 5pm right now, we've given the invite from 6pm onwards. So we have an hour."
"Excellent. Is the team here?"
"Yep they're in the back, getting visuals set."
"I'll just meet them."
I went to the back and met the 15 members of the firm's newest venture. These were selected by me and Rupert and we were sure they are great in their field.
"I'd like to thank you all for putting in the extra hours today, and for the last few days, to make this launch possible in such a short time. I truly appreciate it." Cheers erupted, "Now, I'm sure you know your jobs when we arrive. Please sit down and don't worry, no one will ask you anything however if you wish to say something, please run your script with Ms Maya, my PA, and she will adjust it for you to be able to speak."
They nodded.
"Anything like this must be done fast so she has time, and otherwise please relax now and get ready."
I was about to leave when I noticed so I turned back, "By the way, where is Nishtha?"
"Sir she'll be arriving soon."
"No, there she is!" Another man said.
I turned around to see her.
Wow. Her pastel pink saree and braided hair with a flower, adorned with her nose ring and minimal makeup. She looked wow.
"You're late." I said.
"I'm sorry. There was traffic and I took a cab."
Why does she always take a cab?
Doesn't she have a car?
I very clearly remember she had a car.
"Okay. I know you're good at your work so I won't tell you twice, just perfect it and be ready. Guests are arriving in 1 hour."
"Sure," she said and walked behind me.
The hall was filled with many company owners, employees, mentors and many other business people. Drinks were being served, a buffet of a variety of international cuisines... and a stage in the top middle, to welcome the launch.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I'd like your attention please." Yuvaan spoke confidently. Yuvaan was used to public speaking, whether it was school, college or work, he had always been a member of public speaking in some way.
"So! Today's the day. Almost 8 months back, my dad started to train me to take over. He solely focused on growing YUVA - and now it's my job to fulfill his one remaining dream - expansion. Now, I know what you're thinking: YUVA has already expanded so much, what more? Well, we've expanded in the sales business... now we wish to expand in another business: consulting.
Ladies and gentlemen, IBM and I present to you our joint venture: YuBM."
Nishtha, who was hearing this, had a bolt on her stomach hearing this. She felt tears in her eyes as she remembered an incident from her past:
"Yuv, when I'm working, can we merger our stuff together? I wanna work with you!"
"How will you work with me Nishu?"
"You'll take over YUVA one day, I want to be in YUVA with you."
"I told you my policy about YUVA right. You won't instantly work there."
"I know baba! But you remember my business plan, and my plan to start at IBM, why don't we expand a sector with both of them. I'll help."
"Not a bad idea baby." He kissed me.
"I know. I'm a genius" I chuckled.
"And what will we name this union of ours?"
"Yuv!" I said, smacking his arm.
"Not that kinda union.... Although we'll need a name for that too." He winked.
"Yuvvv stop!" I blushed, "we'll name it YuBM."
"Yu and then IBM ka BM?" He asked.
"Yes!!!"
"So original Nishtha." He said sarcastically.
"Shut up. It makes sure that no one loses their identity."
He really named it that. That was something him and her planned to do - when they started their own firm. She didn't dare to look at him when her eyes tearing up, but her bad luck made sure he looked at her, with her eyes looking at him between the tears. Yuvaan looked away and continued talking while she wiped her face and got to work.
Soon, it was her cue and the whole team came on stage. They delivered their pitch excellently and once the presentation had ended, everyone had already signed up to make deals. Nishtha backed away and quickly called her parents. She had told them to come here today.
Where were they?
She walked towards the seating area and found her family sitting. She hugged them.
"How was it?"
"It was amazing beta! So happy for you!"
"Thanks Aai, Baba what do you think?"
"If this a success, you need to start pitching my franchise now!" He teased.
"Baba! We can start your franchise. My work is sorted, we will chalk it out tommorow and take it to investors."
"About that...."
"What?" Nishtha asked suspiciously.
"I already did all that and I've gotten a loan so I can start working on it."
"That's great. Where did you get the loan from?"
"This industrialist - Manoj Verma."
"Haven't heard of him, but I'll go thank them tommorow, and we can start chalking it out."
"Now go enjoy your event."
"Are you sure you're okay beta?"
Nishtha knew where this was going. "Yes Aai. I'm fine. It's professional."
"I mean... if it wants to be more then it canâ"
"Aai, I'm in the middle of a work event. I'll talk to you later, okay?"
"Okay."
"Take care bete."
"You too, and Neel, make sure you all eat, okay?"
They nodded and she seated them down at a good table and then went back to attending guests at the main stage.
"There is nothing more that can happen between him and I anymore after what he did then and now, Aai." Nishtha whispered to herself.
"You were very great Yuvaan. I'm so very proud of you." Rajesh Nanda beamed with joy.
"Thanks Dad. I'll make sure YuBM is a success."
"Beta, you never told us that Nishtha is working with you." Jaya Nanda asked.
"Mom. I didn't need to. It's irrelevant."
"It's irrelevant that your ex girlfriend is working with you?" Vamika asked.
"Vami, don't." Yuvaan said. His eyes went to Nishtha, who was in talks with her own family, "I told you all. I don't want her talks here."
"She's right there Yuvaan, and you can't deny that she is excellent at her job."
"I know she's good Dad, but that's about it."
"God gives very few people a second chance in love, don't waste it if you have it." Jaya Nanda said and then walked away, taking her daughter and her husband with her.
"There is no second chance for what she said and did Mom." Yuvaan whispered to himself.
Yuvaan and Nishtha stayed focused on their job when Yuvaan noticed their families talking.
Oh Shit.
"Nishtha..." Yuvaan called her.
"What?" she asked, looking at him. Her eyes followed his and she grew shocked, "Oh no."
"No no no..." she said, sitting down.
"Nishtha... what happened to you?" Yuvaan saw her sit and get stressed.
Sweat beads formed on her shoulder.
She starts to sweat when she's stressed.
"They're just talking. You can relax."
"I can't. I don't want our families talking."
"Not everything is about you Nishtha, you can't stop them from talking."
"I can't, but you can. Go and take them away."
"Why would I do that?"
"Just do it."
He groaned and went to our families. Their laughs and chuckles got louder as he approached them.
"Arre! Yuvaan!" Jaya Nanda said, "Say Hi."
He noticed the family in front of him. He felt his mind unlocking a hidden memory.
"Yuvi, why don't you just stay here tonight?" Aunty said while she oiled my hair.
"I can't Aunty. Log Kya karenge!" I chuckled.
"Arre! Kuch bhi bolta hai!" She hit my arm.
"Waise, I'll stay here. Give me 4 years, let me get some cash and let your daughter get her own and then I'll come back here with my family."
I saw Nishu blush, "Yuvi what are you saying!"
"It's okay Nishtha! I toh have set my mind to calling him my son-in-law. You come whenever you want and take her."
"Take me? Am I a toy!" Nishu's nose went red.
"You're my cute bear Nishu!" I pinched her nose.
"Aai, look at him. I don't want to marry this mad man."
Everyone laughed.
"That's a shame. Aunty do you have another daughter because I want you to be my mother-in-law."
"HAWW YUVI!" She hit me and we all laughed.
"Yuvi?" Jaya poked his arm, "are you okay?"
"Yes. I'm fine." He turned to her family, "Hi Uncle. Hi Aunty. Hi again Neel."
"Again?" Rajesh Nanda asked.
"I met Neel in the office the day he landed."
"Oh that day was so chaotic." Rupali Yadav continued, "Kya hi bolu aapko!"
"What happened?" Yuvaan's Dad asked.
"I don't know Bhaisaab, Nishtha left late from office then that mandir Aaji found her lying unconscious on the temple floor."
"What?!" Jaya asked, "When? How?"
"I don't know what she was doing there. It was so heavily raining and she fainted. This girl doesn't drink water. This is what happens. We got her in her hospital and she was hospitalized for 1 day."
Yuvaan saw his Mom Dad look at Nishtha with concern, then at me.
"Yuvaan. Go bring her here. Fast."
"What?"
"Go Yuvaan."
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