Bound By Unknown(✔)

XV. Press meet

Avni

"What can a woman do in the business? Her handling the family and looking pretty in our arms is more than enough I think." Everyone laughs at that. I clench my fist and spoke the words.

"So you are saying that you do not respect women. You say the same things to your daughter that go and marry a person to look pretty on man's arm, am I right Mr. Patel?" He looked down embarrassed by my question. I was on roll and could not stop my mouth, and I cared less about it now. It was about my dignity as a woman.

"And all the men of this room please answer my question. If you treat women like this then why is does this company have 42 percent female?" All of the members who laughed bent their heads flushing. "And why this company is providing scholarships for female students? Why are you supporting female entrepreneurs?"

They did not answer my question. Mr. Bhatt, Nihal's father, looked proud and asked me a question. "Why don't you answer that question for us? Please explain it properly Avni Arya Rajput." All the members looked at me surprised.

"Of course, Mr. Bhatt. I would love to enlighten the board members. As you can see we have more female workers because they work hard in some situations compared to men, I am not degrading men over here, they both have their expertise areas. We support female students and males if they seem profitable for the company. We accept female entrepreneurs because of their unique ideas and while men are always a little hesitant to make us collaborates. I would like to point that we earn our company's profit of 20 percent from female products like clothes and accessories. We even have three women as board members. My mother and grandmother established their own business. Do the board members still have doubts regarding this issue?" Not a single person spoke all were looking at me with shocked looks. I smiled at them.

"Mr. Patel, I was not asking you to appoint me as CEO, I am not interested in that position and I think Abhi is more capable of handling this position better than I can. I want to be part of this company, even though I have a right to be a board member, I am not going to do it. I will prove my worth to this company and you can elect me as a board member. This is the reason I wanted to have this board meeting, I request you to grant me 6 months to prove my worth by my work." I waited to hear their answer, I started feeling nervous as they were taking so much time and looked up to see everyone looking at me with awe in their eyes.

Mr. Bhatt started slapping the table in appreciation for me. I felt proud of myself, I got confidence that I can achieve in this field.

Abhi

I felt anger consume me when Mr. Patel spoke about Avni in such a degrading manner, Avni did not give me a chance to speak either. She took a stand and showed them their places, she was authoritative and looking hot. My respect for her grew and I was looking at her in awe with others. She surprised me, I know she was fierce but she was strong than I expected. I was proud of her. I gave her support.

"Mr. Patel if I hear you disrespect a woman in your life again, it may not be good for you. This is for the members present here." I tell them glaring when the applause died down. My father stood up and started speaking.

"I have some news to share with you, there will be a marriage between Abhi and Avni in 10 days. And I would like to request that you all give respect for Avni, she may be young but she knows about our business more than you can expect." All the board members started congratulating us and I pulled Avni towards my side. All the women in the meeting thanked her for standing in women's support. Mr. Patel came towards us.

"I am really sorry Ms. Rajput. I should not have said their words, please forgive me," he bent his head in shame.

"It is okay Mr. Patel. And please lift your head you shouldn't bend your head. And please address me as Avni I am small than you." Avni said. She shocks me, she forgave a person who insulted her. I shook my head. All the board members left congratulating us except Bhatt's.