The following day, the final discussions began.
The excitement of finding an investor had settled into a more serious phase.
Now it was about building a proper foundation.
Nagaraju and Akshata made it clear from the beginning.
"We are investing in the company, but we will not interfere in the daily technical operations."
Brian and Jan listened carefully.
They understood that the founders needed freedom to build the product.
Akshata continued,
"You both created this idea."
"You understand the technology better than anyone."
"The day-to-day decisions should remain with you."
"But for major decisions..."
"Future funding."
"Large changes in company direction."
"Major partnerships."
"All three parties should be involved."
Nagaraju nodded.
"Important decisions should not be taken by one side alone."
"This company should grow through cooperation."
The founders appreciated the approach.
They had feared investors who would put money in and then start controlling every small decision.
Instead, they were getting partners who wanted the company to succeed.
---
The agreement documents were prepared.
Pages of legal terms, ownership details, investment conditions, responsibilities, and decision-making rights were printed.
Because it was a major investment, both sides wanted everything to be clear.
The documents were reviewed by professional legal advisors.
Every clause was checked carefully.
Nothing unusual.
Nothing unfair.
Just a normal agreement between investors and founders.
While reviewing the documents, Akshata carefully read through several sections.
She had already learned that business was not only about ideas.
Details mattered.
Words mattered.
One sentence could change the meaning of an entire agreement.
She pointed out a few areas where she felt additional protection would be useful.
"Can this clause be made clearer?"
"This should mention the approval process for major decisions."
"And this part should ensure that the founders still have enough freedom to build the product."
Her suggestions were not excessive.
She was not trying to take unnecessary control.
She simply wanted a balanced agreement where both sides were protected.
The legal team reviewed her suggestions.
Most were reasonable improvements.
Brian and Jan looked at her with surprise.
They had expected a young investor's daughter to simply sign documents prepared by professionals.
Instead, she was carefully understanding the structure.
Jan smiled.
"You really pay attention to details."
Akshata shrugged.
"A good idea can fail because of poor decisions."
"Building a company requires more than just having a good product."
The founders exchanged a glance.
They had met many investors who only talked about money.
This teenager was talking about long-term survival.
Brian laughed softly.
"You may not have studied at a famous business school..."
"But you think like someone who belongs here."
Jan nodded.
"I think you are going to go a long way in this industry."
Akshata smiled politely.
She didn't reveal that she had knowledge from another lifetime.
She simply accepted the compliment.
---
After the final corrections were made, everyone signed the agreement.
A small startup had received the support it needed.
Two founders had found partners who believed in their vision.
And Nagaraju and Akshata had taken a step into the technology world.
As they left the office, Akshata looked back at the small workspace.
A few desks.
A few computers.
A handful of determined people.
After completing all the formalities related to their investment, Nagaraju and Akshata finally boarded their return flight to Mumbai.
Their journey had taken longer than originally planned.
Between the lookbook assignment, visiting the startup, negotiating the investment, and completing the legal paperwork, they had stayed in the United States several extra days.
Although both were tired from travelling, they returned with a sense of satisfaction.
Akshata had successfully completed her international assignment.
Nagaraju had taken his first major step into the technology industry.
---
When their flight landed in Mumbai, the familiar warmth and busy atmosphere welcomed them home.
Outside the airport, their driver greeted them before helping load the luggage into the car.
On the drive home, Nagaraju smiled.
"It feels good to be back."
Akshata nodded.
"No matter how many countries we visit..."
"...home is still were all family stays it can be any place or any country.
---
The next morning, life slowly returned to its usual routine.
Nagaraju headed to his production office to review the progress of his television serials and film projects.
Akshata unpacked her bags, arranged her study materials, and prepared for school.
Later that afternoon, her phone vibrated.
A notification had appeared from her bank.
She unlocked the screen and looked carefully.
Her agency had transferred the payment for her recent international assignments.
The amount included lookbook campaign she had completed in the United States.
The payment had been deposited directly into her bank account, after the deductions that had been agreed upon in her modeling contract.
For a few moments, she simply looked at the balance.
This wasn't money she had inherited.
It wasn't a gift.
It was income she had earned through her own work.
She smiled quietly.
Her mother walked into the room.
"What happened?"
Akshata turned the phone toward her.
"My agency has transferred my payment."
Her mother looked at the notification and smiled proudly.
"You've earned this through your hard work."
"Be proud of it."
A few minutes later, Nagaraju returned home.
Akshata excitedly showed him the message as well.
He read it before handing the phone back.
"Congratulations."
"But remember..."
"Earning money is only the first step."
"Learning how to use it wisely is what creates lasting success."
"I know, Appa."
"I want every assignment to help me build something for the future."
Nagaraju smiled.
That evening, as she updated her personal records on her laptop, Akshata reflected on how much had changed in such a short time.
She was a student.
A game developer.
An international model.
And now, together with her father, an early investor in a promising technology startup.
She closed her laptop with a quiet smile.
There was still a long road ahead.
But step by step, the future she wants beginning to take shape this time.
A few days after returning to Mumbai, Akshata resumed her usual routine.
School occupied most of her mornings.
In the evenings, she continued working on ideas for her second game while also following the progress of the messaging startup in California through occasional updates from Brian and Jan.
Life had returned to its rhythm.
Yet another thought kept returning to her mind.
Dubai.
One evening, after finishing her homework, she entered the endless white space.
Kalpa's voice echoed around her.
"Host appears to be thinking deeply."
Akshata nodded.
"I want Appa to invest in Dubai."
"There are opportunities there that will become valuable in the future."
Kalpa remained silent.
"But if I suddenly tell him to buy property in Dubai," Akshata continued, "it will raise questions."
"My relatives may wonder how I knew."
"Even Appa might not able to accept rapid invest s."
"I need another reason."
The white space shimmered.
"A logical conclusion."
Akshata smiled.
"Exactly."
She remembered something from her previous life.
During the 2009 Dubai Shopping Festival, one of the promotional raffles had offered a luxury apartment in Jumeirah Village as its grand prize.
People could enter simply by purchasing eligible raffle tickets while shopping.
A thought slowly formed in her mind.
She wasn't going to ask her father to fly to Dubai for an investment.
She would ask him to take a family holiday.
"If we happen to visit during the festival..." she whispered.
"...we can enjoy the trip."
She thought of Kalpa.
"...perhaps a little magical help can guide luck in our favour."
Kalpa's voice responded after a brief pause.
"I cannot create wealth from nothing."
" probability that already exists..."
"...I may be able to provide a small influence."
Akshata understood immediately.
"So with your help..."
"...there is a guarantee."
"Correct."
"The opportunity must already exist."
"The final outcome is absolute."
Akshata smiled.
"That's enough."
"If we genuinely visit Dubai for a holiday and participate like everyone else, nothing will seem unusual."
"It won't attract unnecessary attention."
"It will simply look like we were fortunate."
Instead of convincing her father to buy property directly...
She would first convince the family to take a holiday to Dubai during the Dubai Shopping Festival.
The rest...
She hoped fate—and perhaps a little help from Kalpa—would take care of.