"WHIPSERS OF TOGETHERNESS "

11~ COLLABORATION

MALHOTRA INDUSTRIES. 

In Kartik's office, the golden afternoon sunlight streamed in through the large windows, casting a warm, mellow glow over the room. The polished mahogany desk gleamed beneath its light, where Kartik, Naksh, and Manik sat, their expressions reflecting the weight of their conversation.

Kartik leaned back in his leather chair, his face shadowed by a look of deep contemplation. His brow was furrowed, lips pressed into a thin line as his eyes wandered to the windows, lost in thought. His usually well-styled hair was slightly disheveled from running his hand through it, a subtle sign of his inner turmoil.

Across from him, Naksh, focused on his notes, looked up when he sensed the shift in Kartik's demeanor. His eyes, usually filled with calm confidence, now narrowed with curiosity. He leaned forward slightly, his voice careful but firm, hoping to break through Kartik's distant expression.

"Bhai, I think Singhania Industries is quite good for the collaboration. Their ideas and approach are exactly what we've been searching for."

Kartik's face softened for a moment, his lips curving into a small but hesitant smile. His eyes twinkled with a mixture of admiration for Naksh's keen insight and the lingering weight of unresolved tension. Tilting his head, he replied, his voice low and contemplative, "You think so?"

Naksh, brimming with certainty, nodded enthusiastically. "Absolutely. Why don't you?"

Kartik hesitated. His gaze dropped, and his brow furrowed again, as though he was battling with something deeper inside.

Manik, sensing the hesitation, leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, a knowing smile playing on his lips. "Hmm, if Naksh bhai is impressed, it means she's obviously impressive."

Kartik let out a long, quiet sigh before leaning forward, the weight of his inner struggle reflected in his downcast eyes. His voice softened, tinged with vulnerability. "Let me tell you a secret."

Naksh's eyes widened in surprise, while Manik straightened, now fully intrigued. "What is it?" Naksh asked.

Kartik took a deep breath, his face hardening slightly with the memory. "This Miss Naira Singhania... she's the same girl who accused me at the boutique that day."

Naksh's eyes widened even more, his mouth slightly ajar as he processed the information. "Is that so?" he whispered. "The world is so small."

Manik chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Waah, bhai. You got a second chance to meet her, but this time it's for business?"

Kartik nodded slowly, his posture slumping under the weight of the memory. His voice lowered, almost pained. "Yes. And here's the kicker — she apologized to me during the meeting. But I was too angry at the time to accept it. I might have hurt her with my reaction, and now... I doubt she'd want to collaborate with us anymore."

A heavy silence enveloped the room, only the quiet hum of the air conditioning filling the space. Naksh and Manik exchanged concerned glances.

Manik broke the silence, shaking his head with playful exasperation. "Bhai, what's this behavior? If Barde Papa finds out, he'll do your aarti!"

Naksh  giving a mocking face to manik turned to kartik , more serious now, leaned in, his voice gentle but firm, his eyes brimming with understanding. "Bhai, sometimes things can be mended. People can change their minds. Maybe you should reach out to her again, apologize for your part, and see if there's still a chance for the collaboration."

Kartik looked up at Naksh, hope mingling with skepticism in his eyes. "You really think so?"

Naksh's lips curled into a reassuring smile. "Yes, bhai, I do. It won't be easy, but if it gives us a chance to fix this and make the collaboration happen, it's worth trying."