Arjun was sleeping when his phone rang . He took the call without looking at the caller name .
Neha : Good morning Arjun
Arjun : Good morning Neha
Neha : Did you sleep well ? I'm sorry to disturb . I will be there in an hour , get ready by then .
Arjun: Thank you for waking me up . See you then
Arjun was in the kitchen making tea when Neha arrived .
" Ready to go " ? Neha asked
" Lets drink tea and go . I'm sorry couldn't find anything to make breakfast " Arjun said
" It should be the other way , me saying sorry for not getting you breakfast . Lets grab something on the way " Neha said smiling
Neha took Arjun to Dunkin donuts for breakfast .
" I'm sorry Arjun , couldn't get Indian food . We can try that for dinner " Neha said apologetically
" It's ok , I'm fine with anything " he said
" You don't eat chicken on Friday right but do you eat egg " Neha asked apologetically before she could stop herself from saying those words
" How do you know I don't eat chicken on Friday " ? Arjun asked
" hmm... I ... yeah Karthik told me " Neha said cursing herself for her slip and lame excuse . They both know she is lying .
" OK . I can eat egg " Arjun said and Neha ordered 2 Egg cheese croissants , hash browns and 2 iced lattes.
They both ate in silence .
" What is the problem in the office " Arjun asked Neha in the car
" Karthik didn't tell you " ? Neha questioned
" He told but I want to hear from your point . I know you too worked hard on this project "
" The software we developed is stolen by our competitor with the help of one of our employee . We are supposed to give the demo in 10 days . Last week the company that stole our project announced they are going to release it next week as their own product .
That employee took all the data and erased everything regarding the project . There is no way to prove it is our product . If we announce it is stolen and need time , the clients will loose trust in us and also we have to pay huge compensation . Other clients also withdraw their investments and we have to shut down the company returning all their money . There is no chance of getting new projects if that happens .
The profit for the rival company from this project is very less . Karthik offered double their profit to get back the software . They bluntly refused for the talks . How can a small company which is 3 months old could do this ? There is something fishy . Perfect planning and execution . To do this , they should have planned before even starting the company . Their intention is not the software or money but our downfall " Neha briefed the problem in professional tone surprising Arjun , gaining his admiration .
" What ? Karthik tried compromising with those bastards ? " Arjun asked shocked
" He was desperate Arjun . He know how much money and trust you put in him . Not only that , he said it was you who developed it . He didn't want your hard work stolen . He likes you so much and ready to give up his pride for you . I disagreed with him for compromising and asked to inform you . That's when he called you to take your help . Suddenly his dad was admitted in the hospital and had to leave you alone . It was very tough for him " Neha defended Karthik .
He already knows how much he means to Karthik and feeling is mutual but hearing from Neha he felt proud . He also understood how much Neha loves Karthik ( glad it is sibling love )
" Thank you Neha . Don't worry we will find solution " Arjun said
They reached the office . Neha introduced him to everyone . Arjun started to read all the files regarding the deal and rivals not noticing the time . Neha knocked his door 3 times but no response . She slowly opened the door and peeked to find Arjun completely immersed in the files . She smiled seeing his focus . She went and sat in front of him but he didn't even notice her . She grabbed the file from his hand to gain attention .
He looked up to her and said " you startled me . When did you come ? "
" I knocked your door but you didn't respond , I came in 5 minutes back . You didn't even notice me " she said smiling
" I'm sorry " he said
" Its ok , its 2 :00 pm . Lets go and have lunch . I too didn't notice the time " she said
" You go and have , I found interesting thing and need to look into it to confirm my doubts " he said
Neha left the room and returned after sometime with 2 trays of food and juice .
" Lets have lunch here itself . I'm sure you are not going to get out of the room till evening " she said smiling
" Thank you" he started digging into his food still looking into the file
Neha took the file from his hands " Eat food , then you can eat the files "
" How do you know Karthik and when did you start working here . Why are you working here when your company is much bigger than this " he asked
" His dad and my mom are friends from business . We met in some business party . Initially I thought he is some rich spoilt brat . After knowing him , I learnt he is anything but that . I had to do project work . Mom asked me to work with her or Rohan . I convinced mom that I cant learn there as no one corrects me in her company and Rohan never let me work . Karthik started his company without his dad's help and was rocking . She admires Karthik's talent and accepted when I said I want to work with him" Neha explained
' Who is Rohan ? Why wont he let her work and she seems to be uncomfortable with him from the way she mention his name ' Arjun thought
" Who is Rohan " he asked
" His dad is senator and mom's business partner . He looks after his dad's business " She said
" Is it the same family you went for dinner last night " ? he asked . Neha nodded yes thinking how did he guess .
Arjun smiled knowing what she is thinking . ' You are so predictable and your feelings are clearly visible on your face ' Arjun thought
" Why are you so uncomfortable with them " he asked but thought what if she says who am I to ask personal things and mind my own business
" He is one person I cant stand even a single second . He is a playboy and womanizer . I'm forced to be his friend since my childhood . He..... he.... flirts with me all the time " she said almost crying remembering how he tries to get intimate with her all the time
Arjun clenched his fists hearing her and also understanding her unspoken words .
" Why didn't you tell your mom about his behavior " he asked controlling his anger
" My mom expects everyone to see from her prospective . According to her he is the best . No point in arguing with her " she said sadly
Arjun thought he would kill both her mom and Rohan if they were in front of him right now
" Arjun , please lets not talk about that " she pleaded sensing his anger
" We can easily solve this problem but before that I want to destroy the company responsible for this . Let me talk to Karthik first " he said changing the topic and called Karthik and put it on speaker
" How is dad's health " Arjun asked
" His condition is stable now " Karthik replied
" From what Neha said , I understood the rival company wants our downfall, not this software . After some research I found something interesting . This small company which stole our software is set up by our rival company few months back under someone else name . Their goal is just to damage our reputation so that all our clients withdraw their investments .
What they don't know is , this is my idea and I was the one who actually developed it and I have the actual prototype with me . They thought they got all the data and erased totally from our system and we cant proceed legally . They are so confident to release it and invested so much money in that . When I developed I wrote a small application which gives me access to all the files as soon as it is opened anywhere . Even though they stole it , I can access all the files from here .
" Guess what we can do ? " Arjun asked mischievously
" Oh my god ! Arjun you are genius . We can sue them and make them bankrupt . They wanted our downfall but it is their end " Karthik said excitedly
" Actually we should thank Neha . She is the one who gave me idea that there is something fishy and small company couldn't have done that " Arjun said looking at Neha admiringly making her blush .
" You both make great team . You solved it in few hours " Karthik said
They both looked at each other and lost in each others eyes
" By the way who is the person behind this " Karthik asked and that's when they both looked away
" I'm 90 % sure it is Mehta company but I need 1 more day to confirm " Arjun said
" What ? Mehta company ? " Karthik and Neha shouted
" Why are you both shocked ?" Arjun asked
" It belongs to Rohan , I just mentioned " Neha replied angrily