Destiny: Time To Fall In Love

Chapter 15 - The Sweet Corn Emergency

Aashi's POV

The sun hadn't even fully risen when I stepped into the lab this morning. The pressure was a physical weight on my shoulders, but the quiet of the early hours was exactly what I needed. For hours, I lived between test tubes, base notes, and the lingering memory of that kullhad tea's warmth.

"Finally!" I whispered to the empty room.

I held up the final vial and inhaled. The fragrance was marvelous—a perfect blend of elegance, mystery, and a tiny, unique spark that hadn't existed in the previous formula. "I just hope that it works for them now," I prayed, looking at my reflection in the glass.

I sent a brief message to Veer Sir's office. I didn't have to wait long. Within minutes, the lab doors swung open, and the "Maheshwari Trio"—Veer, Vikram, and Mahi—walked in. The air in the room seemed to vibrate with their anticipation.

I handed the sample over. One by one, they inhaled the aroma. A heavy silence followed, and for a second, my heart stopped. Had I failed?

Then, Mahi Ma'am's eyes snapped open. "Oh my god, Aashi... what have you created?"

"Is... is there a problem, Ma'am?" I asked, my voice trembling.

"No, girl! You slayed!" Mahi laughed, her eyes sparkling with pure relief.

"She's right, Aashi!" Vikram Sir stepped forward, looking at the vial as if it were made of solid gold. "Creating a new fragrance out of nowhere within two days is not a joke. And this aroma? It's incredible."

"You have done an amazing job, Aashi."

The voice was deep and steady. I looked over at Veer Sir. He wasn't wearing his usual scowl or his mocking smirk. He looked genuinely stunned. "You have created something beyond my imagination," he continued, his gaze intense. "To be honest... it's better than what we had created earlier."

"Thank you, Sir. Thank you, Ma'am," I said, a wave of satisfaction washing over me. All the sleepless hours, the broken scooty, and the stress felt worth it in that single moment.

"Thank you so much, Aashi," Veer added, his lips curving into a rare, small smile. "You have saved us from total humiliation."

Vikram Sir immediately shifted into "War Room" mode, the energy in the room changing to excitement. "Okay, now that we have the formula, I'll handle the production. Mahi, you take over the paperwork and the legalities. Veer, you handle the press conference and the Wilsons. We have a launch to win!"

"One more thing, guys," Veer said, his voice regaining that authoritative tone that demanded everyone's attention. "Wilsons always hosts a grand party after launching a product. So, as you can guess, Vikram and I are invited with our plus-ones."

Before Veer could even finish his sentence, Vikram cut in, pointing a finger at Mahi. "So you better be ready this time, Mahi! Don't do the drama you did last time—like claiming you don't have an appropriate dress at the last minute. If you want to go shopping, do it today."

Veer nodded in silent agreement. Mahi looked at me, her lips curling into a playful pout. "You're coming with me for shopping today, right Aashi?"

I frowned, completely confused. "Why do I need to go shopping?"

"Because you're also coming with us... to the party... obviously!" Mahi said, raising her eyebrows as if I'd asked why the sky was blue.

"No, Ma'am, I can't!" I protested immediately. "First of all, it's a high-profile business party where you are the invited guests. Second, what would I even do there? I'd be like a fish out of water."