When pranavi found out the truth about Arjun—a truth that had been planted by someone—she started calling Nikhil. When she got no response from him, she finally realized that what Shivam had been saying was the truth.
Pranavi storms away, fueled by anger, as Shivam scrambles to keep up with her.
Shivam attempts to hold Pranavi back, shouting, 'Stop, Pranavi! Just let me talk to you!'
don't want to hear anything from you. Just give me some space and leave me be!
SHIVAM: (Stops abruptly, his expression crumbling) "Pranavi, I—"
PRANAVI: (Turns away and walks off without looking back)
[Shivam stands alone under the dim streetlights, watching her shadow vanish.]
**********
Next morning
The sun filters through the curtains. A new day has arrived. Pranavi wakes up, her expression calm yet determined. It's a fresh morning with fresh thoughts.
The sunlight hits her face, and for the first time in days, Pranavi doesn't feel the weight of yesterday. She gets out of bed, pulls back the curtains, and takes a deep breath. The chaos of Arjun, Nikhil, and Shivam feels like a distant storm now. She looks at herself in the mirror—eyes tired, but sharp with a new purpose.
"I can't change what happened yesterday, but I can choose how I live today. No more lies, no more traps. From now on, I am the lead character of my own story."(in mind)
Pranavi stands by the window, phone pressed to her ear. Her voice is steady.
"I am stepping into the role of the Head of Data Analytics sir.
The Boss (stuttering in surprise): "H-Head? Pranavi, that's a massive responsibility. Are you sure you're ready for this?
**
Office Room
Pranavi (firmly): "I've never been more ready, Sir. I'll see you in the boardroom in ten minutes."
Pranavi (Putting her laptop on the table): "Good morning, everyone. I know what you're thinking—how did she get here? But let's save the gossip for the cafeteria. From this moment, I am your Head of Data Analytics."
Manager (Confused): "But Pranavi, the previous reports—"
Pranavi (Interrupting firmly): "The 'previous' reports were filled with gaps. I've already scanned the last quarter's data. There are discrepancies that none of you noticed—or perhaps, you chose to ignore. That ends today. I'm not here to follow the old rules; I'm here to rewrite them."
After the meeting concludes, her Branch manager calls her.
Branch manager: (Looking at her with disbelief) "I saw your performance today, but I have to ask... are you really leaving the HR post behind, Pranavi?"
PRANAVI: (With a confident smile) "The HR post was just the beginning, Sir. My data doesn't lie, and neither do my ambitions.
"If you'd like, I can handle the responsibilities of both posts simultaneously."
It's a lot of pressure, and I don't want to overload you. However, until the new HR is hired, I'll leave it in your hands.
***
Ashu rings up Shivam and says, 'Do you have any idea? Pranavi is taking over as the Data Analyst Head!'
Shivam (with a faint, sad smile): "So, she finally did it. She's moving on... and she's doing it without looking back. I knew she was brilliant, but I didn't think she'd take charge this fast."
Ashu -'Are you mad? 'If she's the Head of Data now, she has access to everything, shivam . Every file, every hidden transactions.
"Then Ashu asked, 'Now, what should we do?'"
Go and talk to her, Shivam. You have to win her heart again.
****
The sky is painted in shades of orange and purple. The air is cool. Pranavi is walking slowly, her office heels replaced by comfortable shoes. She looks different today—less burdened, more focused. The stress of the Data Analyst role and the tension with Shivam seems to fade with every step she takes.
Pranavi is walking peacefully.
"Pinu, stop! How fast do you run? Even now, you haven't changed your habit."
Pranavi freezes at the sound of her nickname. She slowly turns around. A tall figure is standing there, catching his breath and smiling.
Her eyes soften for a split second before the coldness returns. Shivam is standing there, out of breath, looking at her like he's seeing the old 'Pinu' again.
Pranavi sighs and says, 'I thought there was someone else behind me.'
Shivam takes a small step closer, his voice dropping to a whisper
"Besides me, is there anyone else who has the right to call you Pinu?"
"Why are you acting like the Shivam I used to know? Why haven't you gone from here already?"Anyway, thanks for telling me the truth about Arjun that day. And I won't ask you where you work now... I mean, which city?"
When did you even give me a chance to tell you? First, you left the party so early that day. And yesterday, when I came to talk to you, you just walked away in anger.
Pranavi -- Sorry for that day... actually, I searched for you for so many years. We had such a deep friendship, and then you just left without saying a word.
[Pranavi finally looks him in the eye. Her cold "Head of Data" persona melts away, and for a moment, she is just 'Pinu' again. Her voice is soft and slightly broken.]
"Actually, I wanted to tell you, but I suddenly had to move to California for my studies."And then, between the 9-to-5 job and being a doctor at the clinic, I was always busy checking patients. I'm only here for for research purposes.
Actually, I want to make healthcare much easier using technology. That's why me and my team have been sent here—to solve these problems.
(Pranavi folds her arms and gives him a small, genuine smile for the first time.)
"So, you've become a big doctor now? Mr. Doctor, congratulations!"
Thanks, Pinu! But I'm just 'Mr. Doctor'... you've become 'Miss jasoos'! Such a big post, such a big office... You deserve a congratulations too.
By the way... this meeting between 'Mr. Doctor' and 'Miss Head of Data' shouldn't end just yet. Can we... I mean, grab a coffee? Not for the past, but for this new journey?
PRANAVI:Coffee? This late? You think I'll agree so easily?
SHIVAM:My treatment is still pending, Pinu. And you have to listen to a doctor, right?
[THE CORNER CAFÉ - NIGHT]
The atmosphere is warm with soft jazz playing in the background. The smell of roasted coffee beans fills the air. Pranavi and Shivam are sitting across from each other, the steam from their cups rising between them.
SHIVAM: (Leaning forward, smiling) "So, tell me... how does it feel? From being the girl who used to forget her own notes, to becoming the 'Head of Data' for such a massive firm? You've come a long way, Pinu."
PRANAVI: (Laughing softly, stirring her coffee) "I didn't forget them,
Shivam. I just knew you'd always have a backup for me. But things are different now. Data doesn't forgive mistakes. It's a lot of responsibility."
SHIVAM: (Nods seriously) "I get it. In my world, a small error in a patient's report can change a life. That's why my research team is so focused. We're trying to build a bridge where technology predicts health risks before they even happen."
PRANAVI: (Intrigued) "A bridge? That sounds ambitious. Is that why you're back in India? To collect local health data?"
SHIVAM: (His expression softens) "Partly. But honestly? My team could have gone anywhere—Bangalore, Hyderabad, Mumbai. I'm the one who pushed for this location.
(After talking to Shivam for so long, she had forgotten her old grudges and one -sided feelings. She had become that same old friend once again.)
SHIVAM: (Sighing, looking at a few housing apps on his phone) "To be honest, Pinu... being a doctor in California was easier than finding a decent apartment here. I'm still struggling with the house hunt. It's been a bit overwhelming."
PRANAVI: (Teasingly) "The great 'Mr. Doctor' can't find a roof over his head? I thought you researchers had everything planned out."
SHIVAM: (Laughing, then turning serious) "I wish. And it's not just the house. My team and I... we are at a critical stage. We need serious funding to scale this HealthTech project. We've been looking for a solid company to partner with, but it's tough to find someone who understands the data as well as the medical side."
PRANAVI: (Her 'Head of Data' instincts kick in) "Funding? You know... my firm handles some of the biggest tech investments in the sector. If your research is as good as you say, maybe I could... I mean, officially, of course... look at your proposal."
[They are walking out toward the parking lot. The air is cool, and the mood is much lighter than when they first met.]
PRANAVI: (Adjusting her bag, smiling) "Look, Mr. Doctor... finding a house in this city can be a nightmare if you don't know the right people. Stop stressing about the apps. I'll help you find a place."SHIVAM: (Surprised and hopeful) "Really? You'd do that? I don't want to be a bother, Pinu."
PRANAVI: (Waving her hand dismissively) "It's no bother. Actually, there are some great apartments in my neighborhood. It's quiet, secure, and... well, I'll be right there if you need to 'research' some coffee again."
SHIVAM: (Grinning) "In your neighborhood? That sounds... perfect. Better than I expected, actually."
PRANAVI: (Turning to her car) "Don't get too excited. I'm still a very strict neighbor. But I'll send you some contacts tomorrow morning. Deal?"
SHIVAM: "Deal. Goodnight, Pinu."
Shivam is about to open his car door. Pranavi is standing by her car, a few feet away. The mood was professional and light, but she suddenly drops this heavy question.
'By the way, how did your breakup happen?'
That's a very long story, Pinu. I'll tell you once I become your neighbor. But for now, the news is... I'm single.
So?
so I might just try to flirt with you.
The sound of Shivam's car engine fades into the distance. The red glow of his taillights disappears around the corner, leaving the parking lot in a quiet, cool silence. Pranavi is still standing by her car, her hand frozen on the door handle.
PRANAVI: (To herself, a stunned whisper) "Did he just... did he actually just say that?"
She looks down at her feet, a slow, uncontrollable smile spreading across her face. She tries to bite her lip to hide it, but the blush is already deep on her cheeks. She shakes her head, finally unlocking her car and getting inside.
[INSIDE PRANAVI'S CAR]
She sits in the driver's seat but doesn't start the engine yet. She catches her reflection in the rearview mirror. Her eyes look brighter than they have in years.
She starts typing a message:
"First of all, don't even try. Second, I'm sending you three apartment listings in my area. Don't be late for your research tomorrow."
She hovers her thumb over the 'Send' button, hesitates for a second, then deletes the first sentence. She replaces it with:
"Focus on your 'research', Mr. Doctor. Goodnight."
She hits send, tosses the phone onto the passenger seat, and finally starts the car. As she drives out, she isn't thinking about data points or corporate funding—she's thinking about what she's going to wear to the office tomorrow.