ᴇx-ʙᴏʏʀꜰʀɪᴇɴᴅ, ɴᴇxᴛ ʜᴜꜱʙᴀɴᴅ

Chapter 5

Yuvaan

Nishtha is here, after 4 years?
No.
How can she be here?

I walked to IBM, with this thought in my mind.
She wouldn't be here.
She always wanted to go to US and settle there.
But why would Aaji lie?
It doesn't matter whether Nishtha is here or not, it's the past. What she does doesn't matter.

I looked at my watch. 12pm.
Stuck to my watch was the bead of the lady's duppata from the temple. I recalled Aaji's words:
'She was in the temple just now'
Could this bead belong to Nishtha?
No.
I picked it up to throw it away, but I couldn't.

Man up Yuvaan. It's been 4 years.
It's not Nishtha's. Why should I throw it?
If it's not Nishtha's, why are you keeping it?

My mind was eating me alive. I need a drink.

I sighed and entered the IBM office.
"I need to meet Mr Rupert." I said.
The receptionist nodded, "Right this way Sir."
"Thanks."

I followed the lady upstairs and was led into the office I needed to be in.

"Yuvaan Nanda. Nice to meet you again!"
"Hi Mr Rupert. Pleasure is all mine."
"Would you like a drink?"
I really need one. Rupert. I really do.
"I'll just have a coffee, thanks." I replied.
"Sure." He placed the order on his phone, "So then, let me tell you."
"Sure."
"We have a data engineer, graduated from US, worked as a consultant. She's very good at her field and we'd like for her to be a part of the merge. As for the merge, internal checks are done and we've gotten the green light. If we can get one from you, we can start a subsidiary firm for consulting as a joint merger. What say?"
"Excellent idea. I'll get you the internal checks by tomorrow."
"What about team budgeting?"
"I have a few data scientists and engineers, but since yours seems really good, we can let her take lead. Review her performance for the next 2 months and give her a permanent placement in consulting then, if not then she can stick to a data engineer?"
"We wouldn't want to lose her, if you're not okay with her performance as a consultant, we can find a replacement, and she can stick to leading our data engineering team."
"Sure, that's your internal call."
"Excellent."
"She'll need to be there when we announce the company, so please do invite her for the opening when it does happen."
"God willing Mr Yuvaan!"
"Of course. Until then, you may send her the details of this job and get her to sign a NDA form right now so the matter isn't leaked."
"Sure, we will."
"As for her payment..."
"We'd be happy to provide her on our behalf as she's our employee."
"But the merger is from both of us so it's not right that you pay her alone. Do one thing, what are you paying her right now?"
"The contract is planning to be around 1cr per month, including free healthcare schooling and everything."
"She's married?"
"No Sir, she's just 25, but for the future."
"So, increase it to 1.5cr. I'll pitch in the rest of the amount. Give her the benefits as you said."
"Are you sure Sir?"
"Of course. She deserves it."
"Great. We'll send her the details then."
I stood up and shook his hand, "I'll be in touch, and one more thing, don't mention my company to her. Just say it's a joint venture between us and another company. Don't tell her it's YUVA initially."
"Why?"
"It's a good way to assess raw talent, when she doesn't know who she's working for."
"Sure!"

I walked out and smiled.
Dad is going to be really proud.
I thought of that lady - 1.5cr per month means she's a very smart woman. Damn.

But suddenly, my stomach went in a knot. My eyes went to my watch, where the bead was still stuck tightly.

If Nishtha is here, how can I check others out?
Why does it matter? Nishtha is done.
I don't care. I'm not checking someone else out.

I quickly drove back to my office and informed everyone about the good news.

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