Chapter 16 - First Meeting

As Rohan returned home, the familiar surroundings of his house felt strangely empty without his mother's presence. Every corner seemed to echo with memories of her laughter and love, and Rohan's heart ached with the weight of his grief.

Slowly, he made his way through the rooms, his footsteps echoing in the silence. As he passed by his mother's favorite armchair, he couldn't help but reach out and run his fingers along the soft fabric, the memories flooding back with overwhelming intensity.

In the kitchen, he found the familiar scent of his mother's cooking lingering in the air, a bittersweet reminder of the countless meals they had shared together. He paused to take in the sight of the neatly arranged spices and utensils, each one a testament to his mother's care and attention to detail.

Moving to the living room, Rohan's gaze fell upon the bookshelf that his mother had lovingly curated over the years. He ran his fingers along the spines of the books, each one holding a special significance in their shared history. Memories of cozy evenings spent reading together filled his mind, and he felt a pang of longing for those simpler times.

As he explored the rest of the house, Rohan couldn't help but feel overwhelmed by the presence of his mother's belongings—her clothes neatly folded in the closet, her favorite knick-knacks adorning the shelves, her cherished photographs displayed with pride.

As Rohan drifted off to sleep with his mother's photo clutched tightly in his hand, memories of her warmth and love enveloped him like a comforting embrace. Despite the heaviness of his heart, he found solace in the familiar presence of her image, a silent reminder of the bond they shared.

The next morning, as the first rays of dawn filtered through the window, Rohan was awakened by the ringing of his phone. Groggily, he reached for the device, his heart pounding with a mixture of anticipation and apprehension.

"Hello?" Rohan answered, his voice thick with sleep.

"Rohan, it's me," came the voice on the other end of the line, instantly recognizable despite the early hour. It was his colleague and close friend, Ankit.

"Ankit?" Rohan replied, confusion clouding his thoughts. "What's going on?"

"Rohan, you need to come to the office right away," Ankit said urgently. "There's something you need to see." Rohan's heart skipped a beat at the urgency in Ankit's voice. With a sense of foreboding, he quickly dressed and made his way to the office, his mind racing with questions and fears.

As Rohan entered the office and met Ankit, he sensed an air of tension that hung heavy in the air. Ankit's expression was grave as he led Rohan to a secluded corner of the office, away from the prying eyes and ears of their colleagues.

"Rohan, I'm sorry to say this, but we're in trouble," Ankit began, his voice low and urgent.

Rohan's heart sank at the ominous tone of Ankit's words, a sense of foreboding settling over him like a dark cloud.

"What's going on, Ankit?" Rohan asked, his voice tinged with concern.

Ankit took a deep breath, his gaze meeting Rohan's with a mixture of sadness and determination.

"Our company has been acquired by a larger corporation," Ankit explained, his words heavy with implication. "And they've made it clear that they want to downsize the workforce."

Rohan's stomach churned at the news, a wave of fear washing over him as he contemplated the implications for his livelihood and those of his colleagues.

"They want to cut down employees?" Rohan repeated, his voice tinged with disbelief.

Ankit nodded grimly, his expression mirroring Rohan's apprehension.

"I'm afraid so," Ankit confirmed. "And they've asked us to submit a list of employees to be let go."

Rohan felt a surge of panic rising within him as he absorbed the gravity of the situation. The thought of losing his job, especially in the wake of his mother's passing, filled him with a sense of overwhelming dread.

"What are we going to do, Ankit?" Rohan asked, his voice trembling with uncertainty.

ith a sense of urgency driving him forward, Rohan wasted no time in seeking out his manager, Mr. Pal. He knew that their conversation would be crucial in navigating the uncertain waters ahead, and he was determined to make his voice heard.

As he approached Mr. Pal's office, Rohan's heart pounded in his chest, the weight of the impending discussion heavy on his mind. With a deep breath to steady his nerves, he knocked firmly on the door and entered without waiting for a response.

Mr. Pal looked up from his desk, surprise evident in his expression at Rohan's abrupt entrance.

"Rohan, what's the matter?" Mr. Pal asked, his tone a mix of curiosity and concern.

Rohan wasted no time in getting to the point, his words tumbling out in a rush as he addressed the elephant in the room.

"I've heard about the downsizing," Rohan began, his voice unwavering. "And I need to know what's going to happen to our team."

Mr. Pal's expression grew somber as he regarded Rohan, the weight of their predicament evident in his eyes.

"I won't sugarcoat it, Rohan," Mr. Pal replied, his voice tinged with regret. "The company has been acquired, and there will be layoffs. It's out of my hands."

As Rohan listened to Mr. Pal's words, his heart sank with each passing moment. The letter from management confirmed their worst fears—the team was being dissolved by the new management.

Mr. Pal's expression mirrored Rohan's shock as he handed over the letter, his voice heavy with regret. "I'm sorry, Rohan," he said, his words tinged with sorrow. "The decision has been made by the new management. Our team is being dissolved."

Rohan's hands trembled as he read the contents of the letter, each word driving home the harsh reality of their situation. The team he had worked tirelessly to build, the camaraderie he had cherished among his colleagues, all of it was being torn apart in an instant.

"We can't let this happen," Rohan declared, his voice filled with determination. "There has to be something we can do."

Filled with determination, Rohan resolved to take matters into his own hands. He knew that facing the new CEO would be daunting, but he was willing to do whatever it took to fight for his team.

"I'll speak with the new CEO," Rohan declared to Mr. Pal, his voice resolute. "I won't let our team dissolve without a fight. We've worked too hard to let this happen."

With a sense of purpose driving him forward, Rohan set out to find the new CEO. As he made his way through the bustling corridors of the office, he felt a surge of determination coursing through his veins. He would not rest until he had exhausted every possible avenue to save his team.

Finally, Rohan reached the CEO's office and knocked firmly on the door. With a deep breath to steady his nerves, he entered the room, his gaze unwavering as he prepared to make his case.

As Rohan entered the room, he noticed a figure standing with his back to the door, gazing out of the window. The man's silhouette was framed by the soft glow of sunlight filtering through the glass, casting a halo of light around him.

Rohan cleared his throat, breaking the silence that hung heavy in the air. "Excuse me," he said, his voice echoing softly in the room.

The man turned slowly, his features partially obscured by the play of light and shadow. As he stepped closer, Rohan could make out the outline of his face, his expression unreadable.

As Rohan stepped further into the room, the figure turned to face him. Standing before him was a man of striking appearance, with a height of around 5 feet 11 inches. His skin radiated with a natural brightness, complemented by a youthful complexion that belied his age of around 29 years. Despite his slim and slender frame, there was an undeniable air of confidence that surrounded him.

The man wore a pair of sleek glasses perched upon his nose, adding a touch of sophistication to his appearance. His features were chiseled and refined, with sharp jawlines and piercing eyes that seemed to hold a depth of wisdom beyond his years. His handsome visage was accentuated by a well-groomed appearance, with neatly styled hair framing his face in a way that enhanced his allure.

Caught off guard by the sudden appearance of the man, Rohan stood frozen in place, his mind struggling to process the sight before him. For a moment, he felt as though time had stopped, his senses overwhelmed by the sheer presence of the man standing before him.

As if sensing Rohan's daze, the man reached out and gently shook him, breaking him out of his reverie. Rohan blinked in surprise, his thoughts slowly coming back into focus as he met the man's gaze.

"Are you alright?" the man asked, his voice laced with concern. He man regarded him with a hint of amusement, a small smile playing at the corners of his lips. "You seemed lost in thought for a moment there," he remarked, his tone warm and friendly.

Rohan couldn't help but feel a sense of embarrassment at his reaction, but he quickly pushed it aside, focusing on the task at hand.

"I apologize for that," Rohan said, his voice steadier now. "I'm here to discuss the decision to dissolve our team."

With a firm nod, the CEO gestured for Rohan to present his case. Rohan took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts before speaking.

"Thank you, sir," Rohan began, his voice steady with determination. "I believe there are several compelling reasons why our design team should not be dissolved."

He went on to outline the team's achievements, highlighting their innovative designs that had received acclaim from clients and industry experts alike. Rohan emphasized the team's strong collaboration and creative synergy, pointing out how their collective talents had led to numerous successful projects.

"Our team has a proven track record of delivering results," Rohan continued, his confidence growing with each word. "We have the expertise, the passion, and the drive to continue making valuable contributions to the company." CEO tells that he could ask the same job to be done by AI designers with more perfection and in less time. "I understand your point, sir," Rohan replied, his voice tinged with disappointment. "But I believe there are aspects of design that AI simply cannot replicate—such as the human creativity, intuition, and empathy that our team brings to the table."

"Our team doesn't just create designs; we create experiences," Rohan continued passionately. "Experiences that resonate with people on a deeper level and leave a lasting impression. That's something that AI can never replicate." Rohan also addressed the potential impact on morale and company culture if the team were to be dissolved, highlighting the value of human collaboration and creativity in fostering a positive work environment.

CEO: That's why I have a proposition for you, Rohan. I won't dissolve the team if you're willing to take on a new role.

Rohan: What role is that, sir?

CEO: I'd like you to work as my secretary. Your organizational skills and attention to detail would be invaluable in assisting me with my day-to-day tasks.

Rohan: (Taken aback) Thank you for the offer, sir. But I'm not sure if that's the right fit for me. My passion lies in design, and I believe that's where I can make the most meaningful contribution.In a tense exchange with the CEO, Rohan faced an ultimatum that left him feeling torn between his loyalty to the design team and the daunting prospect of becoming the CEO's secretary.

As the CEO laid out the condition for saving the team, Rohan grappled with the weight of the decision before him. On one hand, accepting the role could mean preserving the team he had worked tirelessly to build, but it would also mean sacrificing his passion for design.

On the other hand, refusing the offer could result in the dissolution of the team, leaving his colleagues without jobs. With the fate of the team—and his own future—hanging in the balance, Rohan knew that he needed to weigh his options carefully before making a decision that would shape the course of his career and the lives of those around him.

Rohan without a second thought accepts the offer of becoming CEO's secretary in order to save the designing Team. 

CEO's asks Rohan to pass the information to designing team of their reinstating into the system by himself. Rohan rushes back to his team and informs the news of reinstating into the system and the team wouldn't be dissolved. 

As he spoke these words to the team, a rush of happiness and smile was intrigue on the teams face and eyes thanked Rohan for his sacrifice to save the team. As Rohan was speaking to his team about reinstating them back into the system, he heard a familiar voice calling him from behind. Turning around, he saw the CEO standing there, perhaps ready to offer some guidance or insights into the process. 

As the CEO slowly turned away and started to move, Rohan picked up on the signal and followed him into his office. The atmosphere might have been tinged with anticipation and a sense of importance as Rohan wondered what the CEO wanted to discuss privately.

The CEO's request is certainly a critical responsibility for Rohan. Noting down all schedules and meetings without forgetting any is a task that demands meticulous attention to detail and organizational skills. Rohan will likely be responsible for managing the CEO's schedule, handling correspondence, organizing meetings, and perhaps even representing the CEO in some capacities. It's a position that requires excellent organizational skills, discretion, and the ability to multitask effectively. Rohan will probably have a unique opportunity to work closely with the CEO and gain valuable insights into the company's operations and decision-making processes. It could be a stepping stone to other leadership roles within the organization.

Rohan stood amidst the bustling office, his mind occupied with the intricacies of his new role as the CEO's secretary. He meticulously listed down the tasks and responsibilities swirling in his mind, ensuring no detail slipped through the cracks. However, one crucial piece of information eluded him – the name of the new CEO.

With a quirky smile, the CEO responded to Rohan's inquiry with a touch of amusement. "Ah, my name is Avyaan," he said, his tone warm and welcoming.

Rohan's reaction to Avyaan speaking his name was unexpected. As the CEO uttered "Avyaan," Rohan felt a sudden pang in his heart, a sensation that caught him off guard amidst the casual exchange.

For a moment, Rohan's expression faltered, his smile wavering as he tried to conceal the unexpected pain welling within him. He couldn't quite explain the sensation – it was as if a floodgate of memories had been unexpectedly opened, releasing emotions he had long buried deep within. Rohan exited the CEO's office, he took a deep breath, willing himself to push aside the unexpected emotions that had surfaced during his conversation with Avyaan. He reminded himself of the importance of maintaining professionalism and focus in his new role as the CEO's secretary.