Happy Day Chapter 23

The day after Republic Day, Vijay returned to the university, focused on his work. After reviewing documents, meeting with faculty, and ensuring that everything was running smoothly, he felt the anticipation building within him. By late afternoon, Vijay decided to visit the market, a routine that had become more meaningful since he met Anjali.

As Vijay walked to Anjali's vegetable shop, he noticed that her father, Raj, was there. This was a slight deviation from the norm, as Vijay had grown accustomed to seeing Anjali alone or with her mother. Raj was a stout man with a kind face, busy tending to customers when Vijay arrived. Vijay approached the stall, but instead of striking up a conversation with Anjali as usual, he quietly began selecting vegetables. He could feel Anjali's eyes on him, and he glanced up to see her smiling softly at him from behind the counter.

Anjali stepped forward to help him. "Good evening, Vijay," she greeted warmly. "How was the Republic Day celebration at your work?"

Vijay returned her smile. "Good evening, Anjali. It was wonderful. The students put on an incredible show, and the whole event was very inspiring."

Raj, noticing their exchange, looked up and gave Vijay a welcoming nod. "Good to see you, young man. Anjali speaks highly of you. You seem to be a regular customer here."

Vijay smiled, feeling a bit more relaxed. "Yes, sir. Your shop has the freshest vegetables in the market. It's always a pleasure to buy from here."

Raj beamed at the compliment and returned to his work. Anjali continued to help Vijay, her presence soothing and pleasant. Their relationship had not yet blossomed into love, but there was a growing fondness between them that neither had yet acknowledged aloud.

As Vijay selected his vegetables, he and Anjali chatted about various things—how the market was bustling today, how she managed the shop with her parents, and small anecdotes from their daily lives. The conversation flowed easily, filled with warmth and subtle glances. Although their relationship was still in the realm of friendship, there was an undeniable spark that both of them felt but hadn't addressed.

After gathering his selection, Vijay handed Anjali the basket. She began weighing and packing the vegetables, stealing glances at him as she did. "You're buying a lot today," she remarked with a teasing smile.

Vijay chuckled. "Yes, my mother insisted on a hearty meal tonight. And I couldn't resist coming here to see you—uh, I mean, your fresh vegetables."

Anjali's cheeks flushed slightly, and she laughed softly. "Well, I'm glad you came. It's always nice to see a friendly face."

As she handed him the bag, their fingers brushed briefly, sending a jolt through both of them. Vijay paid for the vegetables, their eyes locking for a moment longer than necessary. It was a silent acknowledgment of the connection they felt but hadn't yet put into words.

"Thank you, Anjali," Vijay said, his voice gentle. "I'll see you soon."

"Take care, Vijay," Anjali replied, watching him leave with a mix of fondness and curiosity.

Vijay walked back home, a smile playing on his lips. He couldn't help but replay the moments with Anjali in his mind. Their relationship was progressing slowly, naturally, and that made every interaction more special.

After Vijay returned home from his visit to the market and had dinner with his mother, Puja, he retreated to his room. He lay down on his bed, replaying his encounter with Anjali in his mind. The memory of her smile and the warmth in her eyes brought a contented smile to his face. The bouquet of flowers and the prospect of their families meeting for dinner filled him with a sense of anticipation and joy.

As he was lost in thought, his phone rang, snapping him back to the present. It was Sanju, his trusted aide and the General Manager of Roy Bank. Vijay answered the call, eager to hear the latest updates.

"Hello, Sanju," Vijay greeted.

"Good evening, sir," Sanju replied. "I have some excellent news. The UPI system has been successfully implemented and is now live in the Delhi area. The initial response has been very positive."

Vijay's face lit up with happiness. The implementation of UPI was a significant milestone for Roy Bank and the university's financial ecosystem. "That's fantastic news, Sanju! I'm very pleased with the progress."

Sanju continued, "There's more, sir. Given the success of the initial rollout, I believe we should capitalize on this momentum. We need a dedicated platform to handle UPI transactions efficiently. It will streamline our operations and provide a seamless experience for users."

Vijay considered this for a moment, realizing the potential of having a specialized platform. "You're absolutely right, Sanju. We should create a dedicated company for this purpose. Let's call it PhonePe. It will be the medium through which UPI transactions are facilitated."

"Understood, sir," Sanju responded enthusiastically. "I will get started on the registration process for PhonePe immediately. This will be a game-changer for us."

"Thank you, Sanju. Keep me updated on the progress," Vijay said, feeling a renewed sense of excitement.

After ending the call, Vijay lay back on his bed, his mind buzzing with plans and ideas. The launch of PhonePe would revolutionize how financial transactions were conducted at the university and beyond. It would integrate seamlessly with the bank, offering students and faculty an efficient way to manage their finances.

As he drifted off to sleep, Vijay's thoughts returned to Anjali. He wondered how she would react to the news of his latest venture and whether their budding friendship would grow into something more. The future seemed bright, filled with possibilities both professionally and personally.

The next morning, Vijay woke up with a sense of purpose. After breakfast with his mother, he headed to the university, feeling invigorated. The campus was abuzz with activity as students returned from their holiday break, and there was a palpable energy in the air.

In his office, Vijay reviewed the pending documents on his desk. There were approvals to be signed, plans to be finalized, and meetings to be scheduled. His mind, however, was partially occupied with thoughts of PhonePe and the potential it held.

By mid-morning, Vijay received a call from Sanju, who had already made significant progress with the registration process for PhonePe. "Sir, the paperwork is nearly complete. We should have PhonePe officially registered within the next few days."

"Excellent work, Sanju," Vijay praised. "Once the registration is complete, let's assemble a team to start developing the platform. We need top-notch developers and security experts to ensure that PhonePe is robust and secure."

"Agreed, sir. I'll begin the recruitment process immediately," Sanju replied.

The days that followed were a whirlwind of activity. Vijay balanced his responsibilities at the university with overseeing the development of PhonePe. The recruitment process was swift, thanks to Sanju's efficiency, and soon a team of talented professionals was assembled.

Meetings were held to outline the vision and functionality of PhonePe. Vijay emphasized the importance of creating a user-friendly interface and ensuring the highest security standards. The team worked tirelessly, fueled by the excitement of being part of a groundbreaking project.

As PhonePe took shape, Vijay continued his visits to the market, cherishing the moments he spent with Anjali. Their friendship deepened, and Vijay found himself looking forward to their conversations more and more. Despite the busy schedule, he always made time to see her, finding solace in her presence.