After the project presentation concluded, Mr. Jain turned to us and said, "We agree with your proposal. When would you like to sign the contract?"

A wave of relief and joy swept over our team, evident in the cheerful smiles that spread across our faces. We had invested countless hours and a great deal of effort into the meticulous planning and presentation of this project. The collaboration we envisioned required a solid market strategy, ensuring seamless operations as I transitioned to working from California. With Ranbir joining as a partner, the company's operations could be managed effectively online.

Anticipating a positive outcome, we had prepared all the necessary paperwork in advance. Confident in our success, we planned to celebrate at the prestigious Luxury Pearl Club once the contract was signed.

After finalizing the details of our celebration, I returned to my office. In my excitement, I hadn't noticed Ranbir following me.

"Hey!" he called out as soon as I sat down. Startled, I looked up to see him already inside.

I sighed, sensing a serious conversation ahead. "What's up, Ranbir?" I asked while gathering my belongings to pack up.

"I just wanted to ask you something," he said softly, moving closer and crossing the seat in front of me.

Curious but somewhat wary, I asked, "What is it?"

Ranbir, noticing my cautious expression, paused before taking a seat. "Can we put the past behind us and start fresh with our relationship?"

I gave him a searching look and replied, "And can you tell your family about our past and openly confess your love for me in front of them?" Deep down, I hoped for a positive response, but experience had taught me otherwise.

An uncomfortable silence hung in the air as Ranbir looked away, unable to meet my gaze.

"You need to let go, Ranbir," I said gently but firmly. "Our past is behind us, and things have changed. I'm moving to Chicago soon, and I won't be coming back."

It was the hard truth. Once my work was established there, I had no intention of returning to India. My career plans were firmly in place.

After my words sank in, Ranbir left with a subdued goodbye. I knew he was hurting, but he needed to move on and release any lingering hopes of rekindling our relationship.

I finished packing my bags and left the office around 5 PM. With the celebration planned for 8 PM, I headed home to rest and prepare for the evening.

Unexpectedly, when I arrived home, I found Dad cooking some evening snacks in the kitchen.

"Hey, Mahira beta, how was your day?" he asked as soon as he saw me entering.

"It was good. What are you doing back home so early? I thought you had a meeting with your brothers today." I asked, eyeing the delicious dosa and sambar he had prepared. The dosa filling and the sambar's vibrant color were so tempting that I couldn't resist serving myself a plate.

"Yeah, I did. But how could I miss celebrating my child's first major achievement?" he said with a warm smile.

My hands, which were already ladling sambar onto my dosa, paused. He had missed his important meeting just to celebrate my success. I was touched.

FLASHBACK

"Mom, what will we make for dinner when we get home?" my sister asked from the backseat while Dad drove and Mom sat in the front.

"We'll figure it out when we get home, beta," Mom replied.

We had just returned from the summer holidays at my mother's family home. Dad had come to pick us up, and we were now only ten minutes away from our own home. The trip had been long, and we were all tired but happy to be back.

"Okay," my sister said, pouting. She was a foodie, and like me, hadn't eaten much since our train had arrived early in the morning. The idea of a home-cooked meal was tantalizing.

Dad had been mostly silent during the car ride, speaking only when necessary. He seemed deep in thought, perhaps focused on navigating the traffic or simply lost in his own reflections.

As we turned into our street, a familiar and comforting aroma wafted into the car. My sense of smell was quite keen, and I immediately recognized the scent.

"HEY! What's that smell?" I exclaimed as we neared our flat's door. My mouth watered in anticipation.

Looking at Dad happily, I hugged him and said, "You made dosa and sambar for us!"

Dad beamed, his earlier quiet demeanor now replaced with pride and joy. "I thought you all might be hungry after the long journey, so I prepared your favorite meal," he said warmly.

We hurried inside, and the sight of the table set with freshly made dosa and sambar greeted us. The dosa was golden and crispy, filled with a savory potato mixture, and the sambar was rich with vegetables and spices, its aroma filling the house.

Mom looked at Dad with a mixture of surprise and admiration. "You went all out," she said, kissing him on the cheek.

"I wanted to do something special for my girls," he replied, glancing at me and my sister with a twinkle in his eye.

We sat down together, and for a moment, the exhaustion from our trip vanished as we dug into the delicious food. The flavors were perfect, each bite a reminder of Dad's love and care. My sister and I exchanged smiles, knowing how lucky we were to have such a thoughtful father.

END OF FLASHBACK

The spoon suddenly slipped from my hand, startling me back to the present. Leaving the food and my dad behind in the kitchen, I retreated to my room, overwhelmed by the memories and emotions.

After a brief rest, I dressed for the evening. I chose a classic black dress that exuded confidence and sophistication, fitting the significance of the night. As I looked in the mirror, I felt a mix of excitement and nostalgia. This celebration marked a new beginning.

Arriving at the Luxury Pearl Club, I was greeted by warm smiles and cheers from my colleagues. The venue was stunning, with elegant decor and a lively atmosphere. The team had gone all out to make this a memorable night. As we mingled and enjoyed the festivities, I felt a deep sense of camaraderie and achievement.

Mr. Jain, ever the gracious host, raised a toast to our success. "To new beginnings and a prosperous partnership! Cheers!" he announced, and glasses clinked in unison.

After the toast, Mr. Jain approached me with a broad smile. "Mahira, can I have a word with you?"

"Of course, Mr. Jain," I replied, stepping aside with him.

"You did an outstanding job with the presentation today," he began. "Your dedication and hard work have truly paid off. The board was very impressed."

"Thank you, Mr. Jain. It was a team effort, and I'm grateful for everyone's support."

He nodded, then lowered his voice slightly. "I also wanted to talk to you about your upcoming move to Chicago. I know it's a big step, and while we're all going to miss you, I want you to know that we fully support your decision."

I smiled, feeling a mixture of pride and melancholy. "Thank you, Mr. Jain. That means a lot to me. I'll miss everyone here as well, but I'm excited about the new opportunities."

"I understand completely," he said warmly. "However, until you leave, there's still much to be done here. I have no doubt you'll continue to lead the team with the same excellence you've always shown."

"I intend to," I replied confidently. "We have a great team, and I want to ensure the transition is as smooth as possible."

Mr. Jain's expression grew thoughtful. "You know, Mahira, your leadership has been invaluable to this company. Have you considered taking on a more strategic role, even after you move? We could use someone with your vision to help guide our expansion efforts remotely."

I was taken aback but pleasantly surprised. "I hadn't thought about that, but I'd love to discuss it further. It would be an honor to continue contributing in a strategic capacity."

"Excellent," he said, clearly pleased. "We'll set up a meeting soon to explore this idea. In the meantime, enjoy tonight's celebration. You've earned it."

"Thank you, Mr. Jain. I appreciate your confidence in me," I said sincerely.

As the night progressed, I found myself in a quiet corner, watching my colleagues celebrate. It was then that Ranbir approached me again, this time with a more composed demeanor.

"Mind if I join you?" he asked, gesturing to the empty seat beside me.

I nodded, and he sat down. For a moment, we watched the party in silence, the music and laughter creating a soothing backdrop.

"I'm sorry for earlier," Ranbir began, breaking the silence. "I didn't mean to bring up the past like that. I just... I needed closure."1'12'

"I understand," I replied softly. "It's been a difficult journey for both of us. But we have to look forward, not back."

Ranbir nodded, a hint of a smile on his lips. "I know. And I want you to know that I support your move to Chicago. You'll do great things there."

"Thank you, Ranbir. That means a lot," I said, genuinely touched.

"But until then, we need to work together to ensure this company can stand on its own without much support from its partners," he said, raising a glass of champagne.

I smiled, nodded, and raised my glass for the toast.

As the evening wore on, we reminisced about the good times, the challenges we had overcome, and our dreams for the future. It was a bittersweet reminder of what once was and the potential of what could be.

Eventually, the party began to wind down. I said my goodbyes, feeling a sense of closure and a renewed sense of purpose. As I stepped out into the cool night air, I took a deep breath, ready to face the new challenges ahead. Although my move to California was still a few months away, I felt prepared and confident about the journey that lay ahead. For now, there was still work to be done here, and I was ready to tackle it with my team.