Episode 17: Back to Reality
1137 Words
(Aarohi's POV)
Monday mornings always carried a different kind of energy.
The alarm rang sharply at six-thirty, dragging me out of the peaceful sleep I'd been enjoying. I stretched lazily before sitting up on the mattress. Soft rays of sunlight slipped through the curtains of our little RK, making the tiny apartment glow with warmth.
For a moment, I simply looked around.
Two mattresses neatly spread on the floor.
The fairy lights we had hung on the wall.
Our oversized plastic wardrobes standing proudly in the corner.
The small dining table beside the window.
The curtains gently dancing with the morning breeze.
It wasn't luxurious.
But it was ours.
A smile naturally found its way to my lips.
I had left home to chase my dreams, and this little place was the first step towards them.
"Aarohi..." Riya groaned from the other mattress.
"Hmm?"
"If you're awake... please make tea."
I laughed.
"So you don't even want to wish me good morning?"
"I will after tea."
Shaking my head, I walked into our tiny kitchen.
Within minutes, the aroma of ginger tea filled the apartment.
"I love you," Riya announced dramatically while taking her mug.
"You love tea."
"I love whoever makes it."
I rolled my eyes before taking a sip.
She looked at me mischievously.
"So..."
"No."
"I haven't even asked anything."
"I know what you're going to ask."
"Abhay."
I sighed.
"I knew it."
"You two looked like good friends."
"We are."
"Hmm..."
"Riya!"
She laughed loudly.
"I'm just saying he's fun."
"He is."
"And handsome."
"I never noticed."
"Oh, really?"
I shook my head, smiling.
"My focus is my career."
"Very boring answer."
"It's the correct answer."
She raised both hands.
"Fine, Miss Marketing Executive."
An hour later, both of us were dressed and ready.
I hugged her quickly before picking up my laptop bag.
"Bye."
"Conquer the corporate world."
"I'll try."
"And don't forget lunch."
"I won't."
"Promise?"
"I promise."
---
The lobby of The Legacy buzzed with activity.
Employees hurried towards elevators carrying coffee cups and laptops while conversations echoed through the spacious reception.
I took a deep breath.
Monday.
A new week.
A new beginning.
"Aarohi!"
I turned around.
Nisha waved enthusiastically while Pooja and Kritika followed behind her.
"Good morning!"
"Morning!"
Before we could continue talking, Abhay appeared with four coffee cups balanced carefully in his hands.
"Move aside," he announced dramatically.
"Hot coffee coming through."
"You actually bought coffee for everyone?" Pooja asked.
"I am the office's favourite senior."
"No," Kritika replied instantly.
"You're just trying to look generous."
Everyone laughed.
Abhay placed a cup in front of each of us.
"So..."
He looked around.
"Did everyone survive Monday morning?"
"Barely," Nisha sighed.
"I almost missed my cab."
"My alarm betrayed me," Kritika added.
Pooja nodded dramatically.
"I questioned all my life decisions while getting out of bed."
Abhay looked at me.
"And you?"
"I was ready on time."
Everyone stared.
"Impossible."
"I was."
Nisha folded her arms.
"She's clearly trying to impress the boss."
I nearly choked on my coffee.
"What?"
Abhay laughed loudly.
"Poor girl. Let her breathe."
Before I could defend myself, an office assistant approached us.
"Mr. Sinha has asked all the new executives and the marketing department to report to Conference Room One in five minutes."
Our laughter disappeared instantly.
Abhay clapped once.
"Showtime."
---
Conference Room One was already half full when we entered.
Large glass walls overlooked the city while a massive digital screen displayed The Legacy logo.
Everyone settled into their seats.
The atmosphere was calm.
Professional.
Serious.
Exactly at 10:05 A.M., the conference room door opened.
Kayish Sinha walked in.
A perfectly tailored charcoal-grey suit.
White shirt.
Black tie.
Tablet in one hand.
Confidence in every step.
The same man who had laughed over street food on Friday night now looked completely different.
Cold.
Composed.
Untouchable.
Without wasting a second, he connected his laptop to the screen.
"Good morning."
"Good morning, sir," everyone replied together.
He looked around the room.
"Congratulations."
A few confused expressions appeared.
"Your training period officially ended last week."
A small smile spread across Abhay's face.
"From today, you are no longer trainees."
"You are officially Marketing Executives of The Legacy."
For a brief second, the room filled with silent excitement.
Kayish continued.
"Enjoy the feeling today."
A few people smiled.
"Because from tomorrow..."
"...your performance will define your future here."
The smiles faded.
He changed the slide.
A new company logo appeared on the screen.
Nova Lifestyle Pvt. Ltd.
"We signed this client last Friday."
"This project is among the largest campaigns our department has received this quarter."
Everyone immediately became attentive.
"Our objective is to create a nationwide marketing campaign that differentiates the brand from every existing competitor."
The next slide displayed timelines, market analysis, target audience, campaign phases and deadlines.
"This is a live client project."
"No extensions."
"No excuses."
"Quality is expected."
Silence filled the room.
He clicked another slide.
"I've divided the responsibilities."
His eyes moved across the room.
"Abhay."
"Yes, sir."
"You'll coordinate the project."
He nodded.
"Nisha."
"You'll handle social media strategy, influencer outreach, and campaign execution."
"Yes, sir."
Then his eyes met mine.
"Aarohi."
I instinctively straightened.
"You'll be responsible for brand positioning, creative campaign concepts, presentation development, and competitor differentiation."
My heartbeat quickened.
Those were major responsibilities.
"You, Nisha, and Abhay will report directly to me throughout this project."
For a second, the room became unusually quiet.
Abhay simply smiled.
Kayish continued as though nothing had happened.
"Every proposal, every revision, every presentation will come to me before it reaches the client."
He switched slides again.
"Kritika."
"Sir."
"Pooja."
"Sir."
"The two of you will work with Business Development on lead generation."
He explained further.
"Your responsibilities include identifying potential clients, building qualified lead databases, market outreach, coordinating with sales, and maintaining conversion reports."
Both nodded while taking notes.
Kayish closed the presentation.
"Both teams are equally important."
"A campaign brings attention."
"Lead generation brings business."
"The company needs both."
He looked around the room one final time.
"I don't expect perfection."
Several shoulders visibly relaxed.
"I expect commitment."
He paused.
"And if you make mistakes..."
"...don't repeat them."
He closed his laptop.
"Detailed briefs will reach your inboxes before lunch."
"Meeting adjourned."
As everyone stood up, conversations immediately filled the room.
Abhay walked beside me with a grin.
"Congratulations."
"For what?"
"You just got assigned to the toughest project."
Nisha laughed.
"And the toughest boss."
I looked through the glass wall.
Kayish had already returned to his cabin, completely immersed in another file, as if the meeting had never happened.
A small smile appeared on my face.
A difficult project.
A demanding manager.
Impossible expectations.
Exactly the kind of challenge I had left home for.
And I wasn't going to disappoint anyone.
Least of all... myself.
- Writer
