The Conference Meeting

The HR smiled politely as she gestured towards the spacious cabin, the sunlight streaming through the blinds lending an inviting glow to the space. "Welcome to your new office, Mr. Verma. I hope you'll find everything to your liking. Let me know if you need anything." Her tone was professional yet warm.

Sid nodded curtly, his expression unreadable. "Please inform the managers and department heads to meet me here in thirty minutes," he instructed, his voice calm but carrying an edge of authority.

"Yes, sir," she replied promptly, retreating with measured footsteps, leaving Sid to his solitude.

The door clicked shut, and Sid let out a heavy breath, sinking into the plush chair behind the imposing desk. The weight of the day pressed down on him like an unyielding storm cloud. His hands, trembling with a frustration he couldn't entirely suppress, raked through his hair as he leaned forward, bracing his elbows on the desk.

Piya.

Her name was an uninvited guest in his thoughts, echoing with maddening persistence. Seeing her in the corridor earlier had thrown him off balance. That same Piya who had occupied his thoughts during the turbulent flight to this city, embarrassing him in ways he'd rather not recount. Now, fate—or perhaps cruel irony—had placed her in the very same office.

But it wasn't just her presence that unsettled him. No, it was the man she was talking, Who was he? The question gnawed at him like an itch he couldn't reach, stoking an anger he neither wanted nor welcomed. His chest tightened, his breaths coming quicker, more erratic.

"This is ridiculous," he muttered under his breath, his voice a low growl as he forced his gaze to the stack of files on the desk. Work. That's what he needed. A distraction. Something to anchor him back to sanity.

Reaching for the bell on his desk, he pressed it firmly. Moments later, an office assistant appeared, polite and attentive. "Bring me a coffee," Sid ordered, his tone clipped but not unkind. "Make it strong."

As the assistant departed, Sid leaned back in his chair, exhaling slowly in an effort to steady himself. Coffee first. Then work. He had no time—or patience—for lingering thoughts of Piya. At least, that's what he told himself.

Sid's voice was sharp, measured, as it carried across the room. His finger traced a line on the report before him, his brows furrowed in frustration. "This is not what the company expects from you all," he began, his tone cutting through the tense silence like a blade. "Employees leaving, work efficiency below the company's average, and no records of mistakes made last month." He paused, flipping the pages with a restrained sigh. "If we continue down this path, we'll end up shutting down this branch."

He set the report aside, leaning back in his chair to survey the team leaders before him. Though his composure was unwavering, the weight of the situation hung visibly on his shoulders.

"I need all key members from each team in the conference room by twelve sharp. I'll be talking about next month's strategy. Starting from the New Year, I want nothing but positive updates from this branch for the next few months. Am I clear?"

A chorus of nods and murmured agreement followed. The team leaders rose, leaving one by one until Sid was alone. The office door clicked shut, and the once-stifling tension in the room dissolved into quiet solitude.

Sid exhaled slowly, his gaze drifting across his desk until it landed on a small pot tucked to the side. A dwarf snake plant grew from the soil, its bright green leaves catching the soft glow of the overhead light. Reaching out, he picked it up gently, letting his fingers graze the edges of the ceramic. For a moment, a faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips as he inspected the plant, amused by how lifelike it seemed.

But the fleeting sense of calm didn't last. He set the pot down, stood, and turned his head upward toward the ceiling, as if seeking answers from the heavens. The thought of facing Piya later—a storm waiting on the horizon—troubled him relentlessly. "Give me strength," he whispered under his breath, his words carried away in the stillness of the room.

Piya moved swiftly around the conference room, making sure every detail was flawless. The table was immaculate, the projector set perfectly, and she had even rearranged the chairs to convey a sense of order and professionalism. She was leaving no stone unturned in her effort to impress the new boss. After all, it was her who had taken the time to decorate his cabin, adding those personal, thoughtful touches. It wasn't just about leaving a good impression—she had a promotion project brewing in her mind, an ambitious idea she was desperate to get noticed. This could be her moment, her chance to rise.

The conference room soon filled with employees. Team leaders and department heads exchanged murmured conversation as they settled into their seats. Piya, already seated, adjusted her posture, her notebook open in front of her. She tried to focus, but her nerves simmered just beneath the surface.

Then the door creaked open.

The room fell silent as everyone stood to greet their new boss. Siddhanth Verma strode in, his expression composed, his presence commanding immediate attention. For a moment, Piya couldn't move. Her breath caught in her throat, her eyes following him as though locked in a trance. Of all people in the world, why did it have to be him? The man she hated more than anyone else, the man who had so thoroughly embarrassed her on their flight. Her stomach twisted as memories flooded back. She'd never expected to see him again—and certainly not as her boss.

Sid, for his part, kept his gaze forward. He didn't dare look for her in the sea of faces. He gestured for everyone to take their seats, his tone brisk and professional. "Please, sit."

Everyone obeyed—except Piya. She remained standing, frozen by the surreal reality of her situation. Sid noticed her stillness and cleared his throat, shifting his attention elsewhere to mask the flicker of discomfort that passed over his features. Meanwhile, Rayan, seated beside Piya, gently tugged her arm. Jolted back to reality, she sank into her chair, her face devoid of expression.

"Are you okay?" Rayan whispered, his voice tinged with concern.

Piya nodded faintly, turning her focus to him for a brief moment. Her gaze softened, and the tension in her shoulders eased as she managed a small, reassuring nod. Across the room, Sid's eyes involuntarily flicked toward the pair. The way Rayan leaned in close, his obvious concern for her—it made Sid's jaw tighten. A pang of something he couldn't name flared within him, but he quickly suppressed it, schooling his expression into neutrality.

He began, his tone smooth and confident. "Hello, everyone. I'm Siddhanth Verma, your new area manager. I'll be overseeing the performance of this office and the back office here in town. Let me start by saying I'm not here to impose unnecessary pressure—provided I see results."

He paused, letting the weight of his words settle. "But after reviewing last month's report, I have to say, I'm not impressed. That being said, I've decided not to forward these performance reports to the CEO." He straightened, his tone sharpening as resolve flickered in his eyes. "Instead, I plan to implement positive actions that will turn this office's reputation around. By tomorrow, I want one volunteer from each department to assist me with the tasks I've planned for the good of the company. Rest assured, those who excel will be recognized and rewarded with appraisals."

Sid's voice warmed slightly, adopting a tone of encouragement. "Let's work together to bring about these changes—not just in our results but in our dedication to achieving them. All the best to all of us. Let's make this happen."

He clapped, leading by example, and the room erupted in applause, the earlier tension giving way to a ripple of motivation. Sid's smile was brief, but it held an air of sincerity. Without lingering, he turned on his heel and left the room, his pace quickening as he sought to avoid any further confrontation with Piya.

Piya drifted back to her desk, her movements mechanical, her mind still clouded by the shock of the morning's events. Sid. Of all the people in the world, why did it have to be him? Her new boss, the one person she'd sworn she never wanted to see again. The thought haunted at , twisting the excitement of her dreams into tangled threads of anxiety. She slumped into her chair, her fingers grazing the edges of her keyboard but failing to engage with the screen before her.

Across the room, whispers and giggles reached her ears. "He's hot, isn't he?" came the hushed voice of one colleague. Piya glanced sideways, catching sight of two women huddled at the table, their faces lit with excitement.

"I can already imagine myself in his arms," said the other, her tone playful and overly dramatic. "I hope I get to volunteer so I can spend more time with him."

Piya rolled her eyes. Hot? Arms? It was his first day at work, and he was already a topic of admiration. Unbelievable. Frustration simmered beneath her skin, but she forced herself to keep her focus forward, though her thoughts betrayed her.

Rayan, seated beside her, noticed the tense crease of her brow. He'd always been perceptive, attuned to her moods in a way no one else seemed to be. "Are you alright, Piya? You didn't look good back in the conference room," he asked, his voice laced with genuine concern.

She turned to him, her gaze softening. Rayan had been her anchor through countless storms—a friend who not only understood her but carried pieces of her secrets as if they were his own. She leaned closer, shifting her chair toward him, her voice low and defeated. "I'm not okay," she admitted, rubbing her temples as if trying to ease the chaos inside her mind. "Things are getting really... complicated."

Without hesitation, she confided in him, recounting the humiliating encounter with Sid on the flight, her words tumbling out in a mix of frustration and disbelief. Rayan listened carefully, his head tilted slightly as he absorbed every word. When she finished, he offered her a reassuring smile, the kind that carried an unspoken promise of solidarity.

"It's alright," he said gently. "You just have to forget about it. Get professional when it comes to work. And—" he leaned forward slightly, his tone firm yet encouraging, "remember, it's your dream to work on this new project. Nothing should come between that. Not even that bad guy."

Piya exhaled a shaky breath, her lips curving into the faintest of smiles. She appreciated Rayan's unwavering support, the way he reminded her of what mattered most. "Thanks," she murmured, her voice quiet but sincere.

Rayan grinned back at her, his presence grounding her in the moment. With a small nod, Piya shifted her focus back to the screen. The chaos in her mind hadn't disappeared entirely, but it had dimmed just enough for her to keep moving forward.

Later that evening, Sid sank into the worn cushions of his couch, the familiar hum of the television filling the quiet of his home. The cricket match played on the screen, a flurry of commentary and cheers, but his focus wavered, his gaze occasionally drifting away. The day had drained him—physically, mentally, emotionally. Too many unexpected moments had marked his first day at the new office.

He let his head fall back against the couch, rubbing his temples as if to ease the tension gripping his mind. The thought of Piya flared briefly in his memory, unwelcome yet persistent, before he brushed it aside. Not tonight, he told himself. He couldn't afford to spiral down that path again.

For a while, he simply lay there, watching the game without really watching, his body exhausted but his mind still churning. The minutes ticked by, and as the match reached a particularly gripping moment, he let out a resigned sigh. Turning off the TV, Sid rose from the couch, his muscles protesting the movement.

He glanced at the clock, deciding then and there that the next day would be different. No more late nights, no more chaotic starts. He needed balance—a sense of control in a world that seemed intent on throwing him off course. Healthy habits, he resolved silently, his jaw tightening with quiet determination.

Shuffling into his bedroom, he climbed into bed, sinking into the cool sheets. For the first time that day, he allowed himself to close his eyes, shutting out the noise of his thoughts. Tomorrow was a new beginning—or so he hoped.

Morning arrived with the gentle trill of birdsong drifting through Piya's garden, a melody that coaxed her awake from a restful slumber. The early sunlight streamed through the curtains, brushing her cheeks with a soft golden glow. She stirred, her lips curving into a serene smile, the weight of yesterday's work chaos momentarily lifting. For now, the world felt lighter.

Slipping out of bed, she glanced at her sleeping cat curled in a warm bundle atop her quilt. Not wanting to disturb the peaceful creature, she tread softly and made her way toward the backyard. The crisp morning air greeted her as she opened the door, and her eyes lit up at the sight that awaited her.

In the distance, the Asiatic lilies stood tall, their petals freshly unfurled, vibrant with life. Piya's heart swelled with joy, and she darted toward them, her laughter soft and unrestrained. Kneeling by the blooms, she pressed gentle kisses to each one as though welcoming them to the world.

Her gaze wandered to the small pond nearby, and a flicker of guilt tugged at her memory. She hadn't fed the fish yesterday. Rising quickly, she dashed back inside to fetch the container of fish food. Returning to the water's edge, she scattered the grains with playful abandon. The fish darted through the lotus leaves, their movements quick and eager as they surfaced for their meal. Piya giggled as tiny droplets splashed her cheeks, the cool sensation adding a crisp freshness to the already perfect morning.

This was her sanctuary—her dreamy garden bursting with colors, life, and quiet magic. Every flower, every leaf held a special place in her heart. Determined to keep her haven thriving, she turned on the water hose, skillfully sprinkling each plant until they glistened with dew. Her movements were rhythmic, almost meditative, as she tended to her garden, her energy replenished with every passing moment.

The chaos of yesterday seemed a distant memory now. As she finished her tasks and took one last look at her flourishing paradise, she felt a renewed sense of strength. This place was her anchor, her source of joy—and it had filled her with all the positivity she needed to face whatever dramas the day ahead might bring.

Arriving early at the office, Sid decided to take a stroll through the various departments. It was a good way, he thought, to familiarize himself with the structure of the workplace and assess how things were running.

He paused at the marketing department, where everything seemed remarkably well-organized. The desks were neatly arranged, files stacked precisely, and the overall atmosphere exuded efficiency. A small sense of satisfaction settled over him as he nodded approvingly and continued walking toward his cabin.

Then, something unusual caught his eye.

To his right, a desk brimming with plants and succulents stood out starkly against the otherwise professional, minimalistic office aesthetic. For a moment, Sid simply stared, his lips quirking into an amused smile. "Looks more like a jungle," he muttered to himself, a quiet chuckle escaping as he stepped closer.

His gaze swept over the desk—a miniature rainforest of greenery—and landed on the corkboard behind it. The board was crammed with various items: motivational quotes, neatly pinned to-do lists, a calendar, and an "Employee of the Month" certificate. And that's when he saw it.

Piyali Sharma

Her name, bold and unmistakable, accompanied by a photo of her on the certificate. Sid's eyebrows shot up, and his smirk deepened. Of course, it had to be her desk. He glanced around at the plants again, realization dawning on him. She was the one who had decorated his cabin. It all made sense now—the little snake plant that had seemed so carefully choosen.

For a moment, he stood there, his expression unreadable, though his eyes gleamed with something sly. Piya had been a thorn in his side since day one, unintentional or not. And now, an idea—mischievous, borderline wicked—began to take root in his mind. If she had been annoying him, perhaps it was only fair to return the favor.

Sid turned on his heel, heading briskly back toward his cabin, the beginnings of a plan forming in his thoughts. As he reached his chair and sat down, he clasped his hands together, anticipation building as he waited for the lists of volunteers to arrive. The corners of his mouth lifted in a quiet smirk. This was going to be interesting.