The Beginning

Chapter 2

Samaira's P.O.V

My father was a renowned businessman. He and Rishabh Uncle, my father’s younger brother started their organization when they were not even married. He recently left his CEO post and offered it to Ishaan. He worked hard day and night, earning himself the trust and the position, making him a popular name now. My family wanted me to work in Dad's company but I refused.

I knew how protective they were but when it came to my career, I took my stand and told them that I will make my own identity.

It was onerous to convince them but Ishu helped me. And that's how I ended up in M.N.K Cosmetics. It wasn’t a big firm like my father's but I loved working there. No one in M.N.K was cognizant of my real identity. I was appreciated for my work and that's what I had always wanted.

"Hey what are you thinking? Go, get ready we need to leave soon. Your clothes are in the closet." Adya said, putting a halt to my unending thoughts. Aditi and I usually stayed with Adya in her place as her parents lived in Mumbai. That's why we already kept our clothes in her house so we never had to carry them every time we came to stay with her.

After taking a shower, I came out wearing the bathrobe. I changed into a formal dress for the meeting. I wore a white V-neck top with full sleeves and a black high waist pencil skirt and matched it with black pump heels.

I came to the dining room where she was engrossed in her laptop, probably busy reading the presentation while munching on fruits.

I could sense Adya's nervousness regarding the sudden change in plans of the meeting. The delegates were coming from Korea. It's not that big of a deal for big firms but for the middle-sized company in which we were working it was a very big opportunity. This was the first project which was to be handled by me and Adya without Neeraj Sir's guidance.

"I didn't prepare breakfast, let's have these fruits and we will eat in the office. Okay?" Adya asked.

"I don't think I can have anything before this meeting," I replied.

"No, Sammy you have to eat these fruits otherwise I am gonna tell Ishu." She tried to threaten me.

"I will eat something at the office, please don't force me, sister-in-law.” Trying to give my best innocent eyes, “Pleawse?!" I asked, making a pout. She used to go all shy and give in whenever I used to call her sister-in-law which was only a way to tease her.

"Stop teasing Sammy," she said blushing.

"Only if you will not force me to eat these fruits. I will eat something at the office after the meeting I promise."

"Fine, but you are eating immediately after the meeting, okay?" She asked, to which I nodded.

Whenever I was anxious I found it very difficult to eat and right then I was really very nervous. I didn't want her to know how nerve-wracking that entire thing was for me. She was already apprehensive and I didn't want to add it more.

We went to the office, entered the elevator, and pressed the button for the fourth floor. We directly went to the meeting room, arranged everything, and even rehearsed the presentation once. Neeraj Sir was about to be a spectator only; there was no way he would have helped us.

"I think we can do this," Adya said and smiled. She looked confident after we had once rehearsed the presentation but I was not okay. I didn't know why, but I was very scared. It felt like something was not right. That sudden feeling was taking my confidence away from me.

Suddenly Neeraj Sir entered the meeting room with a tensed look on his face.

"Sir, you okay? Why do you look tense? You don't have to worry about the meeting. We have prepared everything." Adya consoled him.

But after what Neeraj Sir said made us speechless.

"Girls, there is one more little change in the meeting." Neeraj Sir said, wriggling his fingers.

"What's that sir? I asked, already not liking the mention of a change.

"The delegates want Samaira to give the presentation without us." Neeraj Sir concluded.

"What?!" We both yelled simultaneously, obviously surprised.

Panicking at the very thought, "But Sir, how can I do this? I am a junior. If they would have asked for Adya it would have made sense as she is senior to me but. . ."

Adya started working before me as I was not in my senses at that time. The dreadful night happened when I was in my final year. So I took a break for one year.

"Sir why do they want this? First, they preponed the meeting, and now this demand?" Adya asked.

"I know, but please can you guys give it a thought, please? If not for me then for this organization, please! It's a very big deal and losing it will really cost us a lot. But if you guys still think that it's not right then I won't force you." Neeraj Sir said. There was hope in his eyes. He was my guide, a father figure for me. There was no way I could have denied it, as his organization gave me my identity.

"You guys have ten minutes to decide. I will come after that, decide till then." After saying this he left the meeting room.

I plonked on the chair, as my legs gave out. Giving a presentation to someone was not a big deal for old Samaira Kashyap but that Samaira died three years ago and I had become a different person after that. I was oblivious, not getting into my head how to tackle the situation. A resounding headache took over with all the thoughts going round in my head. A drop of tear fell on my knotted hands, that’s when I realized I had started to cry.

"Sammy," Adya called. She sat on the chair in front and hugged me.

"I...I don't kno-know what to do," I stammered and while sobbing.

"Sammy, I know what you are thinking, but I want you to give this presentation. Not for me, not for Sir, and also not for this organization, but yourself. I want my old best friend back, for whom things like this used to be a piece of cake. I want you to do it for your old self, for the girl who was carefree and cheerful." Adya consoled while hugging and rubbing my back.

Handing me a glass of water she asked, "So will you do it?"

I gulped the water down my throat and nodded my head in a yes.

She smiled and said, " Let me call Sir now, okay?" She left the room and I was there all alone with no confidence at all. I wished it was all a nightmare. I wished someone would just wake me up and tell me that it was all a nightmare. I was trying to control my tears when I got a text. It was from an unknown number.

*Just when the caterpillar thought the world was ending, it turned into a butterfly.*

Someone might have sent it to me by mistake but that single line gave me a little confidence. I wiped my tears and then Sir and Adya entered.

"So are you ready?" Sir asked one last time and I nodded. He gave me a smile to which I replied with the same.

I started the presentation. Hopefully, it was going well. I was doing a good job of hiding my nerves until one of the delegates exclaimed something in his native language, “Dangsin-ui beulaendeuleul dogteughage mandeuneun geos-eun mueos-ibnikka?”

Panicked, I looked at Neeraj Sir and Adya only to find them troubled too. English obviously wasn’t spoken in Korea as much as it is in India. I took a deep breath and replied to him in English, “ Plastic surgery is a big business in Korea, but it's very costly. For those who cannot afford it, our brand provides them with daily essential products at a minimal rate. Our company uses the products that have been used for ages in Indian traditional medicine, therefore most are plant-based, herbal with minimal to no side effects. Moreover, it is eco friendly. Therefore our brand is unique and you should choose us because we will help you grab the commoner's market in Korea.”

Everyone was shocked and then after a minute, I heard a big round of applause and somebody exclaimed, “Jal-haess-eso!”

“I am impressed!” The man said with an accent. When the meeting got over Neeraj Sir went to escort the delegates while Adya came to me and hugged me, "You nailed it! They were so happy with everything. I am sure we will get the deal."

"But when did you learn Korean? I know you love watching Korean shows but when did you learn their language?" She asked.

"Well, I started learning it in college as a hobby, never thought that I would be using it one day," I told Adya.

"And your hobby got us the biggest deal! Thanks, Samaira, you saved our sinking ship!" Neeraj Sir said while smiling..

"No Sir, you don't have to say thank you. After all, it's my job." I replied.

"This surely needs a celebration, but not today as I am a bit occupied. I am leaving early today as I have some other personal stuff and you both remember about the party right? The party starts at 7 p.m sharp so be there okay?" Neeraj Sir said while we both nodded.

"Sammy let's go to the cafeteria. You haven't eaten anything." Adya said and we started walking towards the elevator.

I collected my laptop and my purse before hurrying behind Adya. The cafeteria was on the ground floor, it took us minutes before the elevator door pinged open and we walked straight to the cafeteria.

We had already decided to meet at Adya’s place, so we directly went to her place to find Aditi already waiting for us inside. It was no shock since she had a spare key.

“So, how was the interview?”

I shrugged,” We got the deal!” As Adya emerged herself into an animated talk with Aditi about how I supposedly nailed the presentation, the text which I received before the meeting, popped into my mind. Whoever that person was, I was really thankful to him/her. I wished I could thank that person. Deciding I could text a ‘thank you’, I took out my phone to type in the words.

But what if it was indeed a mistake? Wouldn't the person take me for a fool? And that person is a stranger anyway.

I quickly deleted the words before shutting down my phone.

“Huh?” I came out of my trance with Aditi snapping her fingers in front of my face.

My confused and somewhat irritated look was met with her reply, "Don't give me that look, lady. Where are you? What are you thinking so deeply that you didn't even realize me and Adya have been calling you for five minutes?"

"Nothing, it's just about the meeting and stuff!" I lied. If I would have told them, they would have surely told my parents and my parents would inform the police about that random text. The last thing I needed was a ruckus for a text that actually helped me.

"So Adya and Sammy, what are you guys wearing for tonight's party?" Aditi asked us, coming as a diversion from the topic centered around me.

"You remember when I went with Ishu to Mumbai to meet my parents?" Adya asked.

"He bought me a dress there and I am wearing the same," she added further.

"And I am wearing the one which I bought from London," Aditi said.

"What are you wearing Sammy?"

"Ah! I don't know. I didn't think much about it."

"What?" Adya yelled, dramatically.

"Sammy, the party is in a few hours and you are saying you didn't think about this?" Adya asked, finding this unbelievable.

"I already have lots of dresses and I can wear anything from my collection. It's just a normal party. It doesn't even matter guys. Chill!" I replied.

"Sammy, it's not just a party, it's our first business party cum charity event. Lots of people will be there and also the media will be there. You haven't revealed your identity at the company but most of the people at the party will eventually recognize you. You will not only represent M.N.K Cosmetics there but also you are the daughter of ‘The Arvind Kashyap’. You have to look best." Aditi added.

"As if this party is for me!" I exclaimed, rolling my eyes.

"Who knows, maybe?" Aditi shrugged.

"What do you mean?" I asked her. That girl was behaving weirdly after coming from London.

"I meant that I already bought a dress for you both from London. Since Adya is wearing what Ishaan gifted her and you don't have any idea what you are wearing so you Miss Sammy you are wearing what I have brought and I am not listening to anything." Aditi said with a finality in her tone.

"Fine," I said and smiled at her.

"Now come on guys, let's get ready for the party." Squealed Aditi in excitement.

She was so excited about the party as if something very interesting was going to happen. Moreover, ever since Aditi and Adya had some kind of discussion while I was on the call with Ishu, they had been acting very weird.

I just hoped nothing bad would happen at the party.

Aditi

"I need to tell you something Adya and you have to keep it a secret from Sammy," I told Adya when Sammy was busy talking with Ishaan over the phone.

I told Adya everything that happened in London and asked for her help.

"Are you an idiot? How can you ask such a thing? I can do anything for you and Sammy. You don't have to ask for my help when it comes to you guys. I will always be there." Adya replied, annoyed that we hadn’t trusted her.

"Okay, I am sorry, but we need to be careful and I am sure Sammy will notice our strange behavior," I said.

"Don't worry even if she will notice she won't be able to know. You know I am so happy for her. Finally, she will receive her share of happiness. But do you think she will agree? We all know her." Adya said with a concerned look. Everyone was familiar with her stubborn nature.

"Don't worry Adya, that's not our job. I know he will make her agree," I told Adya.

I knew what Sammy had suffered. She was a strong and brave girl, I wouldn’t have survived if in her place but she fought. She was fighting a battle every day with her past and it hurt to see that my best friend had to go through something like that because of me. Though she never blamed me yet I somehow felt guilty. I wished I could change what happened back then.

But I had finally got a chance to make her life beautiful. She always tried to hide her pain so that we wouldn't get hurt. But she was not alone. There was a person who was more than ready to fight those battles for her, who was ready to take away all her miseries. I just hoped everything goes according to plan.

That party was just The Beginning.

<><><><><><><><><><>

Translation for the question asked by the Korean Delegate:

"What makes your brand unique?"