The next day was my meeting with the clients who were going to invest in my project. Mr. CEO was away on a business trip to Canada.
I felt a little nervous about the meeting. My presentation was already prepared, but I still felt anxious.
When I reached the office, everyone was looking at me even Rajveer.
"Is it true, what we heard?" Sarah asked.
"Hmm."
"Means they accepted your idea? That's amazing, right?" she said, mostly talking to herself. I just listened to her words, but my mind was completely lost.
I didn't respond to her questions. And why would I? It didn't matter to me to explain things to everyone how it all happened, or how I got promoted so suddenly.
Even I don't know clearly.
They'll all probably think I did something extra to get it like some "additional" work.
But I did nothing... except working overnight.
I entered the meeting room it felt heavy. The clients started arriving one by one.
I stood in front of the screen, where my virtual presentation was displayed.
My reflection showed my blue shirt and black pants nothing special.
I just wanted to finish this work as early as possible.
Then a man entered the same one I had seen last time at Rajveer's wedding.
The one who had handed me a bouquet of white roses.
Was it all a coincidence? Or intentional? I couldn't assume.
Whatever it was I just knew I had to do my best. And today, I did.
I presented very well.
The clients were satisfied.
The deal will be finalized when Mr. CEO returns from Canada.
At the restaurant, I came with my five team members. They're all good at their work.
Sanaya, with her bubbly personality, kept clicking selfies and even dragged me into her camera. She loves it—always on her phone, totally addicted to social media. She's younger than me, full of life, like her world is always in bloom.
We all sat together, eating a mix of Korean and Indian dishes. That fusion food idea was Avir's he loves eating!
And then there's a boy… who's quietly broken.
I chuckled and laughed along with them. In that moment, I realized something:
Here, I'm the senior. I don't need to pretend or adapt myself to fit someone else's expectations.
I remained mostly silent, just watching them enjoy the evening. Joyful, loud, and full of life.
They've all become such good friends… so early.
Work was good today the friendly environment, the jokes, the overall positivity… it felt nice.
I sighed. It was already 10 p.m.
My mom kept calling me, and I kept declining the calls.
Finally, I got up from my chair.
"Okay, I'm heading out. You all can enjoy," I said.
They all nodded and said good night.
I knew they were going to stay and drink, but that's their personal life.
I booked a cab and finally called my mom back.
"Mom, I'm on my way home now."
"Why so late?" she asked.
I knew dad was probably listening too.
"I was at an employee dinner, Mom."
"Dinner at 10 p.m.?"
"I'm in the cab now, okay? Bye."
My inner self whispered… Don't go inside the apartment.
So I kept walking all the way up to the rooftop of the building.
The wind was strong up there, brushing against my skin.
I sat down at the edge, looking at the cars below their headlights glowing, the constant blare of horns filling the night.
But my mind drifted elsewhere… to my hometown.
There, it wasn't like this. No loud streets or blinding lights just endless green crops, peaceful silence. The sky was a soft blue, the land a calm, pure green.
Here, in this city, I'm gaining everything.
But deep inside… I'm losing something.
Something far more important.
The silence inside me…
That feeling I carry for someone someone who lives in the tiny room on the rooftop of my own house.
I want to go back.
I want to sleep in my own bed.
I want to eat Mom's delicious food again…
But tears start to fall down my cheeks once more.
I want to heal truly, I do.
But the person I chose… he's already broken.
Tej will never hold my hand.
He'll never wipe away my tears.
No one will.
And just like that, my soul stares up at the night sky where only darkness seems to exist.
The stars twinkle softly… like they're watching me… blinking silently in the void.
The Earth looked at me with quiet pity.
I sat with my head bowed, still and heavy.
Up here, in this height, the air felt richer
More breathable than the room I was meant to return to…
A room where even the objects lie in silent sorrow
Broken, scattered, withered, like me.
The shadows on the walls watch me through my own eyes.
And I've grown used to that gaze
Eyes that speak nothing, yet search for words too long buried…
Dangling endlessly from the branch of unease.