Mihir quickly clarified, "I meant I want her as my personal assistant." His tone was professional, but a faint intrigue lingered in his voice.
The room seemed to collectively exhale, the tension dissipating slightly. The panel members nodded, some looking amused, others surprised. Pushkar looked at Maira expectantly, clearly waiting to gauge her reaction.
Maira's expression remained composed, but her eyes glimmered with interest, the cogs of her mind already spinning at the implications of working so closely with Mihir Kashyap.
Raising a brow, she responded politely yet firmly, "But, sir, I haven't even been interviewed yet."
The panel members murmured in agreement, echoing her sentiment.
Mihir leaned back in his chair with an air of complete confidence, his smile casual but layered. "There's no need for an interview," he said smoothly. "I can already tell-you'll be a... PPA."
Maira blinked, confused. "PPA?"
Mihir chuckled, his eyes dancing with mischief. "Perfect Personal Assistant," he clarified, his gaze lingering on hers with that same cool arrogance.
Her face remained neutral, but there was a flicker of something-amusement, maybe curiosity. Whatever it was, Mihir saw it, and it only made his grin deepen.
The board members exchanged glances, some mildly impressed, others skeptical, but ultimately nodded their approval of Mihir's choice.
Standing up, Mihir extended his hand toward her. "Ms. Maira," he began, then stopped and shook his head. "No, that sounds too formal. I'll just call you Maira. Welcome to your new job."
Maira rose, a polite smile on her face as she extended her hand in return. Their palms touched-and for a fleeting moment, the world seemed to pause. Their eyes locked, and an invisible current surged between them. Something unspoken, charged.
Mihir's thoughts flickered with arrogance and possessiveness.
"You dared to mess with Mihir Kashyap. Now, you'll see how I tame wild fire. I'll show you your place."
Maira, ever composed, had her own reasons.
*"Thank you, God," she thought silently. "I don't know why Mihir chose me, but now I'll be able to keep a closer watch on him. That's what matters. I'm one step closer to protecting the Kashyap brothers."
Their handshake broke, but the silent tension lingered, cloaked beneath the façade of professionalism.
---
Hansraj College Boardroom
Meanwhile, Teju stood outside the interview room, taking a deep breath, whispering a silent prayer. "God, please walk with me. Let my words carry truth, and let my dream speak for itself."
With renewed calm, she opened the door and stepped into the boardroom.
Her gaze quickly scanned the room, landing squarely on Sahir. Her breath caught ever so slightly. She hadn't expected to see him-not here, not as a panelist. She composed herself immediately, offering a respectful greeting.
"Good morning, honorable members of the panel. My name is Tejaswini Kakkar, and I'm honored to be here today, interviewing for the medical scholarship."
The panel greeted her in return, their expressions mostly professional, though Sahir's eyes-cool and observant-lingered on her face a moment longer than necessary.
"Let's begin," one board member said. "Tejaswini, what inspired you to pursue a career in medicine?"
Teju's face lit up. "I've always had a love for science, especially biology. But more than that, medicine gives me the power to help people when they need it most. I've seen firsthand what timely medical attention can do, and I want to be part of that healing process."
Sahir nodded, intrigued. "Have you faced a challenging experience in a healthcare setting?"
Teju took a moment, then replied, "During my volunteer hours at a local clinic, I saw a young boy terrified of his diagnosis. His family couldn't understand the medical jargon. I took the time to explain it in simpler terms, and I watched the fear ease in his mother's eyes. That moment made me realize the value of empathy in medicine."
The panel murmured approval.
"And what do you think you can contribute to the medical field?" another member asked.
"I'm diligent and empathetic," Teju said confidently. "But more than that, I'm committed to this dream. I'm ready to work hard, to learn, and to make a difference wherever I'm placed."
As the interview continued with technical questions, the panel's initial skepticism began to soften. Teju's answers were clear, honest, and deeply rooted in personal conviction.
Then, a female panelist leaned forward with a subtle, but pointed tone. "Tejaswini, your attire-it's unusual for an academic interview. Is it... bridal wear?"
The room hushed.
"And did you, perhaps," the woman continued, "leave your own wedding to attend this?"
A quiet gasp escaped from another panelist. Sahir's eyes locked onto Teju's, unreadable.
Teju didn't flinch.
"Yes," she said simply, confidently.
The silence deepened. Even the clock seemed to hesitate.
Sahir blinked once, his expression unreadable, though his fingers curled slightly on the table.
"That's... quite the choice," the woman remarked. "Care to elaborate?"
Teju inhaled, her voice unwavering. "This scholarship is my chance at a future I've dreamed of for years. I'm not just here to become a doctor for myself-I'm here for everyone I could help, everyone who has no access, no answers. My wedding would have been the end of that dream. And I refuse to spend the rest of my life wondering 'what if.' So I ran. And I'd do it again."
Her voice, though quiet, was filled with fire. Sahir's jaw tightened-not in anger, but something else. Admiration, maybe. Recognition.
The board exchanged looks. Some surprised. Some impressed.
The female panelist finally smiled. "Well, Tejaswini Kakkar... welcome to the real test. We appreciate your honesty."
Teju exhaled quietly, and across the room, Sahir gave her the smallest nod-almost imperceptible, but unmistakably there.
One board member's expression softened. "Teju, we admire your passion and dedication to your dreams. However, we can't overlook the fact that you walked out of your wedding. As a medical student, you represent this institution, and we can't risk associating with someone who's made such a public display of disregard for societal norms."
Teju's eyes widened in disbelief, her face paling. She seemed stunned by the board's verdict.
Another board member added, "Our reputation is at stake. The media would pounce on this story, and it would reflect poorly on our institution. We have to consider the implications of admitting someone who's made such a drastic, controversial decision."
A heavy silence followed, Teju's future hanging in the balance.
Sahir spoke, his tone calm but unwavering. "With due respect, I disagree. Yes, Teju's actions were unconventional-but they reflect conviction, not recklessness. As future doctors, we're supposed to value intelligence, empathy, and resilience. She clearly possesses all three."
He glanced around the room. "We're not just evaluating her grades-we're assessing her character. And Teju's willingness to stand for her dreams, despite societal pressure, is admirable. That's exactly the kind of courage we need more of in this field."
His words settled into the silence, challenging the board's stance.
A board member raised an eyebrow. "Sahir, and what if this decision causes public backlash? How can you ensure this won't tarnish our reputation?"
Sahir answered without hesitation. "I understand the concern. That's why I'm willing to take full responsibility. Teju will report to me directly. I'll personally ensure she upholds every value and standard this college stands for."
His gaze was steady, unwavering. "If there's ever any issue-academic or otherwise-I'll be accountable. But I believe in her potential. And in our duty to stand by those who dare to fight for their dreams."
The board members exchanged glances, clearly weighing Sahir's words. His support had shifted the tone in the room-and Teju's fate now hung on their final verdict.
---
DDS Music Industries
Pushkar walked into Mihir's office, concern written all over his face. Mihir lounged back on the couch, legs crossed, eyes glued to his phone screen as he played a mobile game. Pushkar cleared his throat sharply.
Mihir looked up with a lazy grin. "What's up?"
Pushkar didn't return the smile. "You hired Maira without an interview? What's going on, Mihir?"
Mihir shrugged casually. "She has the spark. And the attitude. I liked that."
Pushkar folded his arms, unconvinced. "I know you better than anyone. I'm your manager-and your friend. You don't hire people on gut instinct. What's really going on?"
Mihir's smile turned sly. "Let's just say... she's about to learn a lesson. She shattered my windshield, talked back to me like she owned the street. No one gets away with that."
Pushkar's brows shot up. "Wait-you're hiring her to get revenge?"
Mihir leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "Exactly. She needs a reality check. A taste of humility. And I'm the perfect person to serve it."
Pushkar's tone turned firm. "Mihir, you're treading dangerous ground. This isn't high school drama-it's your career. You're a public figure. If this blows up, it's your name on the line."
Mihir waved him off with a smirk. "Relax. My image is bulletproof. I'm not the one who's going to suffer-she is. She'll learn what happens when you mess with Mihir Kashyap."
Pushkar's voice dropped. "You're playing with fire. Don't turn this into a game you can't control."
But Mihir reclined again, cool and unaffected. "Don't worry. This won't go badly for us. She's the only one who's going to be finished."
Just then, the door opened. Maira stepped in, her confident stride pausing briefly as her eyes scanned the room. "Are you sure...?"
Mihir's gaze snapped to her, the smirk flickering for a moment. Pushkar looked up too, a flash of alarm crossing his face.
They both wondered the same thing-had she heard everything?