The soft hum of Rahul's laptop fan and the rhythmic tapping of his fingers on the keyboard were the only sounds that  filled the quiet corner office. His gaze was transfixed on the screen, reviewing the details of the upcoming project when the familiar buzz of his phone shattered the stillness.

Rahul's jaw tightened as he glanced at the screen, his father's name flashing across it. With a deep breath, he unlocked the device and read the message, feeling a familiar wave of annoyance wash over him. His father was, once again, inquiring about Piya.

Rahul's grip on the phone tightened momentarily, the impulse to hurl it against the wall nearly overwhelming him. "I raised you better than that" the voice rang again. He quickly reigned in his emotions, reminding himself of the calm, calculated demeanour that had become his trademark.

Just then, the office door swung open, and Rahul's secretary's anxious voice cut through the stillness. "Mr. Saxena is busy," she said, her tone laced with concern.

Rahul looked up to see Sana striding into the room, her perfectly tailored suit and impeccable appearance only serving to highlight the chaos she brought with her. Rahul's heart sank as he braced himself for the inevitable confrontation.

"Rahul, I just found out that you're outsourcing the backend operations project," Sana said, her voice sharp with frustration. "Why didn't you tell me you were handing it over to someone else?"

Rahul leaned back in his chair, his expression calm and measured. "Sana, I thought it would be better to have a dedicated team focus on this project. I'm confident they can handle it."

"But you should be overseeing it personally," Sana insisted, her eyes blazing with a familiar intensity. "Everything, I mean literary everything rides on this. You know that. I want to make sure it's done right."

Rahul held up a hand, his voice level and controlled. "I assure you, my team is more than capable. In fact, they're meeting with two potential partners next week in New Delhi."

Sana's expression softened, and Rahul could see the shift in her demeanour as she recognized an opportunity. "New Delhi, you say? That would be wonderful. In fact, we should both go. It would send across the right message."

Rahul felt a twinge of unease as he realized the implications of Sana's enthusiasm. He knew all too well the emotional turmoil that often accompanied her presence in his life. Recalling their tumultuous past, he wondered if he was making a mistake by agreeing to her accompaniment.

As Sana continued to press her case, Rahul tried to maintain his professional composure, focusing on the details of the project to steer the conversation away from the personal. But he couldn't help but glance back at his phone, the memory of his father's text about Piya nagging at the back of his mind.

Rahul's heart raced as he considered the prospect of seeing Piya again, the resentment and hurt he had buried for so long threatening to resurface. He had worked hard to distance himself from her and the chaos she had brought into his life, and now, it seemed, fate was determined to bring them back together.

"Rahul!!!"

"Okay Sana, I will make the arrangements"

Rahul rubbed his temples, attempting to chase away the tension that had settled over him. The spacious room felt suddenly constricting, its polished surfaces and carefully curated decor contrasting with the tumultuous thoughts. "Why do women only bring chaos to my life?"

***

The morning sun filtered through the car's tinted windows, casting a warm glow on Rahul's pensive features. He leaned back against the worn leather seat, allowing the gentle hum of the engine to lull him into a rare moment of tranquillity. Though the stifling air and the incessant honking of the traffic around him threatened to shatter his peace, Rahul found solace in the solitude of the journey.

His mind drifted to the events of the previous night when Sana had made another desperate attempt to win him back. He had firmly refused her advances, insisting on separate accommodations, much to her disappointment. Rahul allowed himself a small smile, a silent victory in the face of Sana's manipulative tactics.

"Sir, we've arrived," the driver's voice broke the stillness, drawing Rahul's attention back to the present.

Stepping out of the car, Rahul took a deep breath, savouring the relative calm before the storm. He knew that the meeting with the first team was just the calm before the real challenge - facing Piya and her partner.

As Rahul entered the office, he was greeted by the familiar sight of Sana, her designer dress impeccably tailored and her makeup flawless. She approached him, her eyes shining with determination and anticipation.

"Rahul, I'm so glad you're here," she said, her voice laced with false sweetness. "I've been waiting for you. Are you ready to meet the teams?"

Rahul nodded, his expression neutral. "Yes, Sana. I'm ready."

"Wonderful!" Sana exclaimed, her hand resting lightly on Rahul's arm. Rahul gently pealed Sana's hand off his arm. A gesture Sana did not miss. "Let's see what they have to offer. I don't want to make any assumptions just yet."

Sana's smile faltered slightly, but she quickly recovered. "Of course, Rahul. You always were the cautious one. But I have a good feeling about this, I really do."

Rahul simply nodded, his mind already focused on the task at hand. He knew the true test would come when he faced Piya and her partner. The memories of their past threatened to surface, but Rahul pushed them aside, determined to keep his emotions in check.

As they made their way to the conference room, Rahul steeled himself for the impending encounter, his heart racing with anticipation and trepidation. The path ahead was uncertain, but Rahul was determined to navigate it with the same unwavering composure that had served him well in his professional life.

"Do you think they'll present well?" she asked, crossing her arms as she gestured toward the door.

"Reputed firm. They have a solid reputation," Rahul replied, tapping his pen on the notepad, avoiding her gaze.

Sana leaned closer, her perfume filling his senses. "But do they have the pizzazz we need? The last campaign we did for the luxe line requires creativity, darling. Less corporate, more flair."

"You mean less practicality? Their portfolio speaks volumes." He ignored the 'darling'. He hated that word even when they were together.

She scoffed, flicking her hair back. "That's what you think. Numbers won't sell our brand; emotion will. If we want to stand out, we need more than just an impressive resume."

He bit his lip, resisting the urge to argue. "Let's see what they bring to the table first. We'll know more after today."

Sana tilted her head. "And then what? Just hope and pray they charm me? You know I won't approve unless it feels right."

"Or pushy. You've done that before," Rahul muttered, earning a narrowed gaze from her.

"I'm ensuring quality! You need to remember who you're working with," she snapped, her voice rising.

Before Rahul could respond, the door swung open and the first team entered. 

Sana's voice shattered the stillness as the door closed on the last member of the team. "Well, that was certainly an... interesting presentation." She quirked an eyebrow, her lips curving into a smug smile. "I have to say, though they were good, something was missing."

Rahul turned to face her, his expression neutral. "I thought their work was quite impressive, actually. The level of detail and technical expertise they displayed was commendable."

Sana scoffed, rolling her eyes. "No need to jump to decisions just yet." Sana, ever restless, shifts in her seat, her eyes darting around the room, eager for the next team to make their entrance.

The door creaks open, and a hush falls over the room. Piya and Tara step in, their presence marked by air of quiet determination. Piya, dressed in worn-out jeans and a faded T-shirt, seems oblivious to the corporate gaze upon her. Her focus is on the task at hand, her fingers already dancing across the keyboard, ready to showcase their proposal.

"Hello, everyone," Tara begins, her voice bright and confident, a stark contrast to Piya's muted demeanour. "We're Piya and Tara, and we're excited to present our vision for this project."

As Tara speaks, Piya's eyes dart to Rahul, a fleeting glance. Rahul's heart quickens, "Did she recognize him? It had been ten years since she had seen him, but he had not changed that much." He quickly averts his gaze, determined to keep his emotions in check.

"We've put together a comprehensive plan," Tara continues, "drawing on our expertise in backend development and security. We believe our approach will not only meet but exceed your expectations."

The room falls silent as Tara's words sink in. Rahul's team exchanges glances, their expressions a mix of curiosity and scepticism. Sana, however, remains unmoved, her gaze fixed on the door, as if expecting someone else to walk in.

"Our proposal, is based on a deep understanding of the fashion industry's unique needs. We've developed a robust system that can handle the complexities of your operations while ensuring optimal security."

Tara's words are accompanied by a seamless display of their technical prowess. Tara's fingers fly across the keyboard, pulling up intricate diagrams and data, each one a testament to their meticulous planning. Piya, standing behind Tara's chair, adds her own insights, her passion for the project evident in her every word.

"We considered the scalability of our solution," Tara types in a chat box displayed at the corner of the screen, "ensuring it can grow with your business. Our approach is flexible and adaptable, designed to meet your evolving needs." That was something Rahul had deliberately kept out of the request for proposal. They were the only team to cover that.

As the presentation progresses, the room transforms. The initial scepticism gives way to a growing sense of respect and intrigue. Rahul, watching from the sidelines, can't help but admire the seamless synergy between Piya and Tara.

"I must say," a team member speaks up, "your proposal is impressive. The level of detail and planning is evident. We're particularly interested in your approach to data security. Can you elaborate on that?"

Piya, without hesitation, launches into a detailed explanation, her knowledge and expertise shining through. "We've developed a multi-layered security system," Piya explains, "designed to protect your data at every stage. Our approach combines encryption, access controls, and regular security audits to ensure the highest level of protection."

The room erupts into a buzz of discussion as the team engages with Piya and Tara, their questions and comments a testament to the duo's success in capturing their attention.

"Well, it seems we have a strong contender," Rahul's voice breaks the spell, his tone professional yet warm. "Your presentation was impressive, and your attention to detail is commendable. We'll certainly give your proposal serious consideration."

Piya and Tara exchange a glance, their eyes shining with hope and determination. As they gather their belongings, ready to exit, Tara turns to Rahul, "Thank you, Mr. Saxena. We're honoured to have had this opportunity. We'd welcome the chance to discuss our proposal further and address any additional questions you may have."

"Well" Sana let out a derisive laugh. "That Piya girl looked like she was ready to bolt out of the room the entire time. And did you see the state of their laptops? Hardly the mark of a professional operation."

"Appearances can be deceiving, Sana. You'd do well to remember that."

Sana's eyes narrowed, and she leaned in closer. "You are right." She got up from the chair, and announced to the room, "I like them. Send them the contract and new laptops "

Rahul watched as Sana stalked out of the room, her designer heels clicking against the polished floor. He rubbed his temples, already anticipating the headache that was sure to follow. He leaned back in his chair, his gaze fixed on the empty doorway. The door creaked open again, and Tara re-entered the room, her bright saree a stark reminder of the fleeting dynamism that had filled the space moments ago.

Tara approached Rahul, a hesitant smile playing on her lips. "Mr. Saxena, I, uh, I wanted to thank you for your nod of approval during our presentation. It means a lot to us, really."

Rahul cleared his throat, willing himself to push aside the tumult of emotions from earlier. "You and your partner" he avoided saying Piya's name for some reason. "did a great job. You correctly anticipated our needs and delivered the information with clarity and depth. It's not easy to stand out in a competitive environment like this."

Tara beamed, her enthusiasm infectious. "Thank you! Piya and I have been working tirelessly to refine our pitch. It's amazing how much we complement each other. I handle the front, while she tackles the nitty-gritty behind the scenes."

Rahul nodded, "it would help if she opens her mouth once in a while. This was the first presentation where a presenter typed in her response!"

Tara gave him a look that Rahul was unable to decipher and nodded before stepping out of the office.