Kiana stood by the glass walls of the 28th floor, gazing down at the Delhi skyline. The hum of the office felt faint, muted, eyes asking questions to her, why are you back? How could a loser like you can show her face back? Must they be thinking this in their minds. Every gaze was likely their to mock her. How idiot you were. We all knew but you couldn't trace what was going behind your back?
The noise in her mind about the talks and perception made a clear bang and she just snapped and shouted- NO!
She suddenly comes back to her senses.
A soft knock drew her from her thoughts. Mr. Narayanan, her senior, her mentor and the Company's veteran strategist, stepped in quietly. The lines on his forehead deepened as he spoke, voice rich with the warmth only a father figure could carry.
When she started in the company, Mr. Narayanan was about to retire but he was not very sure about his team of lawyers as they were all practical learners who wouldn't dare to put their heart for the company's interest. In Kiana, he found a true successor of him, who deeply cared about the company's interests going beyond the line of money and power as she thought about the well being of not only just the company but to all the 60,000 employees of the company. She treated them as one of her own.
Mr. Narayanan put her time and again into situations where he will judge her character and after a certain amount of tests he came to the conclusion that he could trust her as his own daughter.
"Kiana", he said gently, "you're one of the brightest talents this company has ever known. The company cannot afford to lose you. Also, I, as your mentor, can see the pain you are going through but to leave everything behind, a career you gave your sweat and talent is not a right thing to do. You never could do this as it is not just you who is going to be affected but the company which gave you a start, provided for you, the employees, you owe it all to them. No personal reason can allow you to harm your interests which you have created in a time with your efforts.
Running off, is never the right decision to take. Face your problems! This is what you used to say all the time when I put you through thick and thins. How can you give it up all for a failed relationship that too, where you are not at a fault.
Kiana, put on a faint smile on her face and replied, I don't know Sir, some days it feels like I am not the same person who I used to be when I started. Now, it feels like walking away would be more easier than loosing myself all over again.
He stepped closer, resting a hand on the back of the chair. " I won't pretend to understand the depth of your pain. What happened is unfair, and it's broken something in you. But listen to me—this company needs your sharp mind and true heart. The world needs that Kiana who refused to be defeated. Kiana, for whom, her family was above everything, and this company my girl, let me remind you, is also a family for you. You yourself have given that promise to me. Now is not the time to be selfish and hide back into your cocoon."
He drew a deep breath, voice softening. "We're entering a pivotal phase. The company is about to sign an MOU in Seoul—an entry into the automotive sector with Han Motors, the giant of industry. We want you to lead the negotiations. It's an opportunity for growth, for making your mark…and for finding a space where you can heal, far away from this noise of a failed and strained relationship."
Kiana looked down, brushing a stray tear from the corner of her eyes. "Seoul?" she repeated quietly.
Yes!
Mr. Narayanan offered a faint smile. " A New city, New Beginnings. Sometimes a change of air can give a wounded heart room to breathe. Let this assignment be more than work—let it be your chance to rediscover yourself."
He placed a hand on her shoulder, voice deep and resonant. "Trust yourself, Kiana. You're stronger than this heartbreak. Let the world see the women you are destined to be."
Kiana drew a slow breath, the faint sting of tears yielding to a quiet ember of confused resolve. Somewhere between the silence and the hum of the city, a new chapter began to stir—one that could carry her from Delhi to Seoul, from loss to beginning a new world for her, from heartbreak to belonging to herself.
Mr. Narayanan waved her Goodbye, and while doing that he said, by the way, if you are not feeling up for it, Rishabh is already prying on this assignment from the moment he came to know about it, may be to hide away and start a new beginning of his own.
As Mr. Narayanan knew the competitive nature of the real girl hidden behind this sorry state girl and he called the bluff.
Listening to that, it felt like an electric charge of 440 volts have jolted her mind and she stood right up, and said it strongly, I will do it. I will go to Seoul.
Mr. Narayanan looked back at her, smiled and faced away thinking in his heart, "I knew, you will agree to this, once I nudge you with this competition. Here you are! My Girl. Go and conquer thy enemy".