As Priya finished packing her belongings at the college, she looked forward to heading home. It was around 4 pm, and she made her way to the metro station. While waiting for her train, she noticed a woman, approximately her mother's age, who seemed a bit lost. The woman approached the platform marked 'Vishwavidyalaya Station' and appeared confused. She gathered the courage to ask Priya for directions.

Aunty (Lady): "Beta, yeh metro Chandni Chowk jaayega?"

Priya smiled reassuringly, "Haan aunty, yeh metro Chandni Chowk jaayega."

Observing the lady's uncertainty, Priya decided to offer her guidance.

Priya: "Aunty, aap fikar mat kijiye. Main aapko guide kar doongi. Main aapki beti ke umar ki hoon, bilkul tension mat lijiye."

Aunty: "Thank you beta, bahut shukriya."

Priya continued smiling, addressing the lady as aunty, and the lady referred to her as beta.

The lady, a bit nervous as she hadn't traveled much on the metro, was genuinely grateful for Priya's help. Priya tried to ease her worries.

Priya: "Aunty, bilkul mat daro. Yeh bahut aasaan hai. Main hoon na aapke saath. Koi baat nahi."

As they chatted during the metro ride, the lady discovered that Priya was a teacher.

Aunty: "Beta, aap teacher hain?"

Priya nodded, "Haan aunty, main teacher hoon."

Aunty: "Bhagwan tumhe khush rakhe, itni madad ke liye."

As the metro approached Priya's stop, the lady blessed her.

Aunty: "God bless you beta, aur phir se shukriya."

Priya smiled gratefully, "Thank you aunty. Take care."

With that, Priya boarded the metro, leaving the station behind, both carrying a moment of unexpected connection and kindness.

After a smooth journey back home, Priya heeded her mother's call to join for evening tea. The comforting aroma of brewing tea welcomed her as she descended the stairs, a familiar routine that added warmth to her day.

The evening unfolded with the Sharma family sharing stories, laughter, and the simple joys of togetherness. The chatter echoed through their home in Lajpat Nagar, filling the spaces with familial bonds that transcended the ordinary.

The next day, Priya stepped into her role as a professor with enthusiasm. In the midst of her lecture, she shared exciting news with her students, "Class, get ready for something special. We're going on a historical monument visit soon!"

The announcement sparked excitement among the students, their faces lighting up with anticipation. Priya, passionate about making history come alive, couldn't help but share in their enthusiasm.

As she continued with her lecture, she detailed the upcoming visit, igniting curiosity and eagerness among the students.

In the midst of the lecture, Priya revealed her plan to take the class on a historical visit to another city. However, she mentioned that due to financial constraints, the college couldn't sponsor the entire trip for all students. It would be a one-day excursion, starting in the morning and concluding in the evening. Despite the short duration, they still needed sponsorship for the event. Priya then engaged the students in a discussion on how they could secure sponsorship for the trip.

Priya: "Toh bachon, humein iss one-day trip ke liye thoda sa sponsorship chahiye hoga. College poori trip ka sponsorship nahi de sakta hai. Hum subah jaayenge aur shaam ko waapas aayenge, lekin hamein iss event ke liye sponsorship ki zarurat hai."

During this conversation, Aditya raised his hand, catching Priya's attention.

Priya: "Aditya, kuch kehna hai?"

Aditya (smirking): "Ji, Professor Sharma, main sponsorship provide kar sakta hoon."

The class erupted in laughter, but Priya quickly hushed them.

Priya: "Chup raho, yeh koi mazak nahi hai. Aditya, tumhe kya kehna hai?"

Aditya (remembering): "Ji, Professor Sharma, lecture ke baad aapko bataunga."

Priya nodded, "Theek hai, lecture ke baad hum baat karenge."

The classroom buzzed with curiosity, students intrigued by Aditya's sudden offer.

After the classes concluded, Aditya approached the staff room, where Priya instructed him to wait for her outside. When Priya emerged, she inquired about the sponsorship.

Priya: "Aditya, sponsorship ke baare mein kya kehna tha?"

Aditya: "Professor Sharma, mere badi bhai trip ko sponsor kar sakte hain."

Priya was initially excited but sensed something more and probed further.

Priya: "Aditya, main janti hoon ki tum apne family business mein part-time kaam karte ho, aur principal sir ko bhi iss bare mein pata hai. Kya baat hai?"

Aditya (requesting): "Professor Sharma, yeh baat kisi ko mat batana, please. Ghar ke reasons hain, main nahi chahta ki log mujhe mere asliyat mein pehchane. You know I don't like unnecessary attention ya kisi bhi tarah ka special treatment. Main sirf apne bade bhai ke saath kaam karta hoon aur college mein padhai karta hoon, degree lene ke liye. Main yahan sab college walon ko apne family background ke baare mein nahi batana chahta."

Priya, understanding Aditya's concerns, appreciated him.

Priya: "Aditya, main samajhti hoon. Tumhari mehnat ka mujhe pata hai aur main tumhe apne chhote bhai ki tarah manti hoon. Main sirf yeh chahti hoon ki sab theek rahe."

Aditya assured her and shared his plan to talk to his brother.

Aditya: "Professor, main apne bade bhai se baat karunga aur usey samjhaunga. Aap fikar mat kariye."

Priya agreed and emphasized the importance of informing his brother about the official nature of the college trip.

Priya: "Theek hai, Aditya. Apne bade bhaiya ko bata dena ki yeh college trip hai, hamare syllabus ka hissa. Agar zarurat ho toh main bhi unse baat kar lungi, taaki unhe pata chale ki paise kahan lagenge."

Aditya nodded, expressing gratitude, and left to talk to his brother about sponsoring the college trip.

Meanwhile.....

In the high-stakes world of corporate dealings, Vihaan Mehra made his entrance into a crucial meeting, an aura of authority surrounding him. Dressed sharply in an off-white three piece, he commanded attention as he took his seat at the conference table. The room hushed, recognizing the presence of a skilled businessman.

Vihaan: "start the meeting "

The meeting progressed quietly until a crucial point where one of the investors suggested a path that Vihaan deemed unethical, solely for profit.

Vihaan (firmly): "Nope. Not happening. Yeh galat raasta hai, humare principles ke khilaaf hai. Hum aise tareeke nahi chahte meri company mein."

The investor, unmoved, attempted to cut off Vihaan's words, pushing the discussion towards an unscrupulous path. Vihaan, not one to tolerate deviation from his values, roared back with fierce determination.

Vihaan (angrily): "Maine kaha na, yeh humare company ke liye theek nahi hai. Aur aap, mujhe beech mein bolne se rokenge? How dare you even bring that stupid thought into your mind?Agar aap phir se mujhe is tarah se beizzat karne ka khayal bhi apne Dil mein laate Hain ,toh I won't have you to kick you out of my company instance. Get that!?"

The room went silent, the intensity of Vihaan's words reverberating. His strong stand against compromising principles showcased not only his business acumen but also his unwavering commitment to ethical practices.

Vihaan, having delivered his stern warning, rose from his seat, casting a cold gaze over the boardroom. His eyes pierced through the tension, settling on the investor who had challenged his principles.

Vihaan (calmly yet coldly): "Samajh gaye aap? Yeh company meri imaandaari pe tiki hui hai. Ismein compromise nahi hoga."

With a calculated move, Vihaan walked up to the investor, patting his shoulder as a final acknowledgment before turning away. A smirk played on Vihaan's face as he observed the investor's expression, a mix of fear and realization.

Vihaan (smirking): "Aage se apni harkatein dhyan se rakhiye. Yeh hamara business hai, yahan nakliyat nahi chalegi."

His eyes scanned the rest of the boardroom, sending a clear message to all present. Vihaan had made his stance known, and without uttering another word, he dismissed the meeting, leaving behind an atmosphere of respect and awe for his unyielding principles.

Vihaan stormed out of the boardroom, his brisk steps echoing authority as he headed towards his personal cabin. The tension from the meeting lingered, and Vihaan, not bothering with pleasantries, walked inside and ruthlessly discarded his coat, letting it fall carelessly to the floor.

He closed his eyes briefly, the weight of the corporate battleground settling on his shoulders. A knock interrupted his moment of solitude. It was Miss Aisha, Vihaan's secretary - a woman of ethics, in her mid-thirties, and a mother of triplets. She carried an air of discipline that matched Vihaan's.

Aisha (respectfully): "Sir, kya main aapse baat kar sakti hoon?"

Vihaan's gaze could send shivers down anyone's spine, yet he never disrespected unnecessarily.

Vihaan (sternly): "Boliye Ms. Aisha."

Aisha: "Kya main aaj ke baaki meetings cancel kar doon, sir?"

Vihaan (coldly): "Nahi, zarurat nahi . Just hand me the files of my rest of the meetings for the day"

Aisha handed over the document, maintaining her composure despite Vihaan's intimidating presence. She left the cabin, closing the door behind her, leaving Vihaan to his thoughts, the aura of intimidation still lingering in the air.

Vihaan, after the relentless day of commanding boardrooms, returned to his mansion in the silence of midnight. The grandeur of his home stood as a silent testament to his success, yet the echoes of his past lingered in the air.

Realizing the house had succumbed to the slumber of the night, Vihaan retreated to his room. The warm water of the shower cascaded down his tense shoulders, attempting to wash away the burdens he carried. He exchanged the trappings of his successful facade for simple grey sweatpants, shedding the armor that defined his public image.

Pouring himself a glass of whisky, Vihaan sought solace on the balcony attached to his bedroom. The bitterness of the liquid mirrored the burning sensations within him - not just in his throat but in his heart, his mind, and his soul. Each sip was a futile attempt to drown the flames of a dark past that relentlessly haunted him.

Vihaan (frustrated, cussing): "Kyun? Kyun mere peechhe har kadam pe woh bhayanak yaadein chha gayi hain?!Har kadam pe ek aag si jal rahi hai, jo bachpan se meri rooh mein basti hai. "

The glass met its demise as Vihaan smashed it against the balcony railing, the sound echoing through the night-"Saala!...Damn it ....damn you....!!"

His eyes burned with unshed tears, but his resolve held them back-" ab nahi....bohot tadap liya main....I can't bear this pain anymore..... Koi toh hoga.... Who will snatch away my sufferings and vanish them in thin air...."

He stepped back into the room, the silence a stark contrast to the storm within him. Collapsing onto the bed, he succumbed to the exhaustion, the weight of his past, and the darkness that veiled his slumber.

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