Annika Vardhan Trivedi and Shivaay Singh Oberoi find themselves engaged in a marriage of convenience orchestrated by their families at a very tender age. Shivaay had promised to Annika that he would not marry her without her consent.
Years passed...
Maya's eyes blazed with a mixture of disbelief and anger as she confronted Harsh within the confines of the study.
"Harsh, you can't be serious!" Maya exclaimed, her voice echoing through the room. The tension was palpable as she learned that Harsh had clandestinely worked to sway the board against approving Annika's project.
Harsh, reclining in his leather chair, calmly looked up from the papers spread across his desk, his expression unwavering. "Do you even understand how you are trying to ruin your own daughter's hard work?" Maya shouted, her frustration boiling over.
Harsh leaned back, steepling his fingers thoughtfully. "I very well understand. And, I am not ruining her life. I want her to have a better life than anyone else," he declared matter-of-factly, his gaze fixed on Maya.
Maya uncrossed her arms, incredulous. "Oh really! Will you please elaborate?" she demanded, her eyes drilling into his.
"I want her to have a secure future. I don't want her to keep gambling everything on some project," he shrugged, his tone dismissive.
"Secure future for her? Or secure your position?" Maya fired back, her eyes narrowing with suspicion.
Harsh looked up at her, a hint of frustration flickering across his face. "We are not going there, Maya! I've some important meeting to attend. Now please excuse me." With that, he turned his attention back to the screen, effectively ending the conversation.
Maya stood her ground, undeterred by Harsh's attempt to dismiss the conversation. The air in the room crackled with tension as she declared, "I just want you to know that you are wrong."
Harsh, still facing his screen, sighed audibly. "Maya, not now. I have a crucial meeting."
But Maya wasn't ready to let it go. "This isn't just about Annika's project, Harsh. It's about you too. What happened to the man who used to believe in taking risks and chasing dreams?"
Harsh's frustration deepened, his jaw tightening. "Maya, things change. I've learned from experience. This isn't just about dreams; it's about making responsible choices."
Maya shook her head, her eyes reflecting a mix of disappointment and defiance. "Responsible choices shouldn't come at the cost of stifling ambition. Annika deserves more than just a 'secure' future; she deserves the freedom to soar."
Harsh swiveled his chair to face her, his expression hardening, "Maya, I know what's best for her. I won't let Annika or someone jeopardize that."
Maya met his gaze with unwavering determination. "What's best for her is supporting her dreams, not holding them back. You might think you're protecting Annika, but in the end, you might be pushing her away."
Harsh's stern façade faltered for a moment, but he quickly composed himself. "We'll discuss this later. I have to go." He turned back to his screen.
***
The following morning found Annika nervously pacing in her cabin, surrounded by her team, who were frantically altering the presentation as she dictated. The meeting was set to commence in an hour, and she felt the weight of its importance pressing down on her. This approval was not just vital for the project; it was crucial for her career. She had challenged the formidable Harsh Vardhan Trivedi, and she knew winning his approval wouldn't come easy.
"Mam, shall we leave now?" Vidhi asked, noticing the time.
Annika glanced at the clock, her heart racing. "Yeah! I hope everything goes as planned."
"It will, Mam..." Vidhi hesitated.
Annika stopped, turning to face her assistant. "Go on, Vidhi. What is it?"
"Mam...Harsh sir had decided against giving a nod for this project."
"Yes, Mam, and he..." Vidhi paused, choosing her words carefully.
Annika raised an eyebrow, urging her to continue.
"He had a private discussion with the other board members regarding this, and as the word has it, this project is not getting an approval."
Annika felt like the ground had dropped from beneath her. She didn't expect her father to sabotage her efforts like this. Doubt crept into her mind, questioning whether her father truly supported her ambitions or if he saw her as a threat to his authority.
But Annika was not one to dwell on setbacks. She squared her shoulders, pushing aside her doubts, and turned to Vidhi.
"We've given our best, and the rest... let's just not give up," she said, her voice steady despite the turmoil within her as she grabbed her phone and files and proceeded towards the board room.
As Annika and her team made their way to the meeting room, a heavy silence hung in the air, weighed down by the knowledge of Harsh's decision. Annika felt the weight of disappointment pressing on her shoulders, but she refused to let it break her spirit. As they entered the room, Annika noticed the stern expressions on the faces of the board members, including her father's. She took a deep breath, steeling herself for what was to come.
"Good morning, everyone," Annika greeted, her voice steady despite the turmoil within. "Thank you for taking the time to hear our proposal."
Harsh nodded curtly, his expression unreadable.
"Since we are already aware of the reason behind this meeting, I would like to begin with the same." She said and launched into the presentation.
Her words were measured and confident. She highlighted the project's potential benefits, its feasibility, and the dedication of her team. Yet, with each passing slide, she couldn't shake off the feeling of impending disappointment.
When she finally concluded, the room fell into a heavy silence. Annika held her breath, waiting for any sign of approval or disapproval.
Finally, one of the board members spoke up. "Annika, we appreciate the effort you and your team have put into this project. However, after careful consideration, we have decided that it's not the right fit for our company at this time."
Annika felt a pang of disappointment, but she refused to let it consume her. "I understand," she said, her voice unwavering. "Thank you for considering our proposal."
As the meeting concluded and the board members filed out of the room, Annika's team gathered around her, their expressions a mixture of disappointment and determination.
"What do we do now, Mam?" Vidhi asked, her voice tinged with uncertainty.
Annika looked around at her team, a fire igniting in her eyes. "We regroup, we refine our strategy, and we come back stronger," she declared. "This is just a setback, not the end of the road. We will make this project a success, no matter what it takes."
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