Chapter 8 : Time Flows Like Water
Over the next year, Advay's life underwent a complete transformation. While he was still a 12th-grade student, his physical presence at school became a rarity. Stonehill International, being a school that prided itself on nurturing exceptional talent, had no issues with his absence. His grades remained perfect, and he continued to ace his exams, but his true education was happening in the real world.
Advay spent most of his time traveling with Vinay, working tirelessly to establish the foundation for Swiggy. It wasn't just about setting up a business—it was about revolutionizing an industry. Every day brought new challenges, and Advay tackled them head-on, displaying a level of confidence and expertise that left even seasoned professionals astounded.
From hiring an elite team of developers, logistics specialists, and operations managers to personally overseeing the construction of Swiggy's first set of offices, he was involved in every aspect of the company. His understanding of technology, business strategy, and consumer psychology allowed him to craft a service that wasn't just functional but efficient, scalable, and destined for success.
He worked closely with designers and programmers, ensuring that the app's user interface was seamless and intuitive. At the same time, he personally met with restaurant owners and delivery personnel, understanding their pain points and ensuring that Swiggy would be built with them in mind. He had a clear vision—this wasn't just about delivering food; it was about creating a system that would change how India ordered and consumed food forever.
Initially, the 7 million dollars that Vinay invested seemed like more than enough. But as operations expanded, it became clear that the company needed more capital. They needed to scale faster, hire more people, improve infrastructure, and ensure a smooth logistical network. The cost of setting up state-of-the-art offices, acquiring technology, and securing partnerships with restaurants was higher than expected.
Understanding this, Vinay doubled his investment, raising the total funding to 20 million dollars. However, he did so in exchange for a larger equity share—15% of Swiggy. Advay, though confident in his company's potential, understood that securing funds early would accelerate their growth, so he accepted the deal without hesitation.
Despite being just 12 years old, Advay had gained the respect of business veterans. Many within the industry had started whispering about him—this mysterious boy with the mind of a seasoned entrepreneur. Some dismissed it as nepotism, assuming he was riding on his father's name, but those who worked with him knew the truth: Advay Rai was a force to be reckoned with.
As the months passed, Swiggy moved closer to its official launch. Every piece of the puzzle was falling into place, and the anticipation was building.
It was February 26, 2012. After a year of tireless effort, Swiggy was officially launched to the public. The app had been meticulously developed, the logistics network finely tuned, and partnerships with restaurants secured. Everything was set in motion, and now it was time to see if the world was ready for this revolution in food delivery.
From the very first day, the response was overwhelming. Orders flooded in at a rate far beyond initial projections. People raved about the seamless experience—ordering food with just a few taps and having it delivered hot and fresh to their doorstep. Restaurants, initially hesitant, quickly saw the benefits and rushed to join the platform. Delivery partners found a new, stable source of income.
Within weeks, Swiggy had taken Bengaluru by storm, quickly expanding to other major cities. The name was on everyone's lips, from college students to working professionals who now relied on it for their daily meals. The efficiency, convenience, and reliability of the service set it apart from anything that had existed before.
For Advay, watching his vision become a reality was exhilarating. He had built something from the ground up, something that was changing how people lived their daily lives. The success was undeniable—Swiggy was no longer just a startup; it was a movement.
Just three months after its launch, Swiggy had taken the market by storm. What had started as an ambitious vision was now a powerhouse in the food delivery industry, growing at a rate no one had anticipated.
With its cutting-edge logistics, an ever-expanding restaurant network, and a user-friendly app, it quickly became the go-to platform for ordering food. Whether it was office workers needing a quick lunch, students craving midnight snacks, or families enjoying weekend dinners, Swiggy had become a necessity rather than a luxury. The efficiency and reliability of the service made it irreplaceable, ensuring that customers kept coming back.
Investors, business analysts, and even industry veterans were stunned by the meteoric rise of the company. Its valuation had soared past a billion dollars, a feat that typically took companies years, if not decades, to achieve. Every week, thousands of new restaurants signed up on the platform, seeing it as their key to increasing sales. On the consumer side, millions of users had adopted Swiggy as their primary means of ordering food, pushing its profits to unimaginable heights.
By now, the company was generating a staggering $10 million per month in net profits alone. That wasn't revenue—that was pure profit, something that even established companies in the industry struggled to achieve. The board members of Rai Groups, the business world, and even the media couldn't believe what they were witnessing.
And at the center of it all was Advay Rai, a 12-year-old prodigy who had defied every expectation. He wasn't just a child genius anymore—he was a true entrepreneur, a visionary who had built an empire before even finishing school. His father, Arjun, had always believed in him, but even he was astounded at just how far Advay had taken this idea.
Vinay, the sole investor who had put his trust in Advay, was now seeing his 20-million-dollar investment multiply beyond belief. What once seemed like a calculated risk had turned into one of the smartest business decisions of his life.
Yet, despite the overwhelming success, Advay knew this was only the beginning. He had built the foundation, but now it was time to expand, innovate, and dominate.
Despite his success in business, his training with Gavaskar never stopped. Every morning at 4 AM sharp, he was out in the backyard, pushing his limits. His daily routine was brutal but necessary for greatness:
4 AM - 5 AM: Stamina Training (Endurance running, agility drills)5 AM - 6 AM: Strength & Reflex Training (Core workouts, reaction speed enhancement)6 AM - 7 AM: Bowling Practice (Pace, swing control, and accuracy)6 PM - 8 PM: Batting Practice (High-speed deliveries, situational play, advanced techniques)
[System Interface]
┌────────────────────────────────┐
│ Name: Advay Rai
│ Age: 12
│ Birth Date: February 17, 2000
│ Height: 5'4" (Still growing)
│ Weight: 49 kg
├────────────────────────────────┤
│ Abilities:
│ - Sleep Less Yet (Every 1 hour of sleep = 2 hours of rest)
│ - None (More to be unlocked)
├────────────────────────────────┤
│ Templates:
│ - AB de Villiers (Batting) - 89% Unlocked ⚡
│ - Dale Steyn (Bowling) - 40% Unlocked
├────────────────────────────────┤
│ Talent:
│ - Cricket (SSS) - Naturally Gifted
│ - Business (EX) - Unmatched Instincts
├────────────────────────────────┤
│ Shop: [Unlocked]
│ - Available Items
│ - Special Templates
│ - Abilities
│ - Mystery Box (Locked)
├────────────────────────────────┤
│ Popularity: [Unlocked]
│ - Business World: 85/100 (Rising Star)
│ - Cricket World: 50/100 (Underground Talent)
│ - Public: 40/100 (Emerging Figure)
├────────────────────────────────┤
│ Coins: 7,000
└────────────────────────────────┘
With his AB de Villiers template at 89%, Advay's batting had reached an insane level. His reflexes, adaptability, and shot selection were borderline superhuman. He could scoop, switch-hit, and play 360-degree shots with ease, mimicking the South African legend almost to perfection.
His batting dominance was now undeniable. Every ball that came his way felt slower, and he could see gaps in the field effortlessly. His reactions were razor-sharp, his execution nearly flawless.
Though his Dale Steyn template was lagging behind at 40%, he was determined to master it next. He wanted to be an unstoppable force in cricket, both with the bat and the ball.
His business empire was soaring, but in his heart, cricket was still his ultimate goal. Soon, the world would see his true potential.
While all of this was going on—the relentless training, the skyrocketing success of Swiggy, and his ever-growing mastery in cricket—Advay had also managed to ace his 12th-grade board exams, securing an astonishing 99%.
His exceptional performance didn't come as a surprise to his family. Aditi merely smirked, as if she had expected nothing less. Arjun ruffled his hair proudly, and his mother, Ilana, simply sighed, knowing her son was in a league of his own.
Despite his towering achievements in both business and cricket, Advay knew that a formal degree still held weight in the real world. So, without much thought, he enrolled in a correspondence program at one of India's top universities—not because he needed it, but simply to check off a box.
"You're barely 13, and you've already graduated high school and built a multimillion-dollar company," Aditi teased one evening as they sat in the living room. "At this rate, you'll own half the country before you hit 18."
Advay chuckled. "Maybe not the country, but the cricket field? Definitely."
Though college was just a formality, he wasn't about to slow down. His mind was set on his next goal—breaking into professional cricket.
It was now October 19, 2013. Another year had passed, and Advay had officially turned 13 years old.
Swiggy's rise had been nothing short of phenomenal. From a bold idea pitched in a boardroom to a 6 billion-dollar company in just over a year, it had become a dominant force in the food delivery industry. Advay, as its founder, CEO, and majority owner, held 85% of the company's shares, making his personal net worth a staggering 5.1 billion dollars. His strategic partner and investor, Vinay, retained 15% equity, and his investment had multiplied beyond his wildest expectations.
Despite his age, Advay had proven himself to be a visionary entrepreneur. His decisions, from scaling operations to optimizing delivery networks, had positioned Swiggy as the undisputed leader in the market. The company was now raking in hundreds of millions in revenue, with monthly net profits surpassing 10 million dollars. Major restaurant chains had signed exclusive partnerships, and Swiggy had expanded across India's biggest cities, setting its sights on international expansion.
The media was in a frenzy. Business magazines called him a "once-in-a-generation prodigy." Investors worldwide wanted a piece of Swiggy, and journalists fought for interviews. News channels, tech blogs, and financial analysts all debated how a 13-year-old had built a billion-dollar empire. Yet, despite the attention, Advay remained laser-focused, carefully maneuvering through the corporate world with an instinct that left even veteran CEOs astonished.
But business wasn't the only thing on his mind.
Through it all, his cricket training had never stopped. Gavaskar's mentorship had turned him into a formidable player, with his batting and bowling skills honed to perfection. Even after long board meetings and corporate decisions, Advay's evenings were spent on the pitch, refining his craft, his passion for cricket burning just as brightly as his ambition in business.
On the evening of October 24 , 2013. That evening, in the warm glow of the mansion's private lounge, Sunil Gavaskar sat comfortably on a leather sofa, a steaming cup of chai in his hands. Across from him, Arjun Rai, the billionaire chairman of Rai Groups, relaxed in his armchair, observing the cricketing legend with a curious smile. They had developed an easy camaraderie over the years, their bond solidified by their shared admiration for Advay.
Arjun, dressed in a crisp white shirt and navy trousers, took a sip of his drink before leaning forward slightly. "So, how's his training coming along? I know I see the reports, but I want to hear it from you."
Gavaskar chuckled, placing his cup down on the coffee table. "Arjun, I don't think you realize just how extraordinary your son is."
Arjun raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Do tell."
Gavaskar exhaled, shaking his head in amusement. "In all my years of playing and coaching, I have never seen a kid like him. His batting isn't just good—it's borderline supernatural. His instincts, his footwork, his shot selection… I don't say this lightly, but if he keeps going at this pace, he won't just be a great player—he'll redefine Indian cricket."
Arjun's expression remained neutral, but there was a flicker of deep pride in his eyes. "That's high praise coming from you, Gavaskar."
The former cricketer leaned back. "I don't give out compliments lightly. When he steps into the nets, he doesn't bat like a thirteen-year-old. He has the composure of a seasoned professional. His technique is impeccable, and the way he adapts to different bowlers? That's something even some international players struggle with."
Arjun crossed his arms. "And what do you think is the next step for him?"
Gavaskar didn't hesitate. "If we continue at this pace, he'll be ready for professional cricket before he turns sixteen. I would say he could debut in the Ranji Trophy within the next couple of years."
Arjun was quiet for a moment, contemplating the weight of those words. "Ranji at sixteen? You're certain?"
Gavaskar smiled. "Absolutely. His batting alone could make him a generational talent. But here's the thing, Arjun—he's not just a batsman. His bowling is progressing just as fast."
Arjun looked intrigued. "Go on."
"His raw pace is already beyond his age group, and his accuracy? It's ridiculously sharp. We're working on refining his variations, and if he polishes them up, he could be a genuine all-rounder." Gavaskar's eyes gleamed with excitement. "You don't understand, Arjun. We're talking about a player who could be a game-changer in every format."
Arjun sighed, rubbing his temples. "So, let me get this straight—he's a billionaire at thirteen, a genius businessman, and now you're telling me he's on the path to becoming one of the greatest cricketers of all time?"
Gavaskar grinned. "That's exactly what I'm telling you."
Arjun let out a soft chuckle. "This kid never fails to surprise me."
Gavaskar's tone grew more serious. "I've seen many young talents fade away because of distractions or lack of discipline. But Advay? He has the discipline of a seasoned athlete, the intelligence of a veteran strategist, and the hunger of a man who refuses to settle for less. That combination is dangerous."
Arjun exhaled deeply. "And where do you see him in the next five years?"
Gavaskar's eyes darkened with certainty. "If he follows this path? He'll be playing international cricket for India before he turns eighteen."
Arjun went silent, absorbing the weight of those words. His son, who was already making waves in the business world, was now on track to dominate cricket as well.
He looked at Gavaskar and smiled. "Well, I guess we're about to witness history being made."
Gavaskar raised his cup in a mock toast. "We most certainly are".