The morning of Sunday, dawned with a heavy overcast sky, the faint patter of rain against the window panes mirroring the gloom that had settled over Ishaan and Ari's small flat. The previous day's confrontation with Adhiraj Bajaj had left Ari emotionally drained, her family's disownment a wound still fresh. Ishaan woke early at 5:30 AM, the silence of the flat a stark contrast to the turmoil within. Determined to lift Ari's spirits and secure their future, he turned to his laptop, the soft glow illuminating his focused expression. He scoured the internet, searching for potential employers where Ari's skills—her civil engineering degree and business management post-graduation—would shine. After an hour of diligent research, he compiled a list of the top ten construction and management firms in Mumbai, noting their names, addresses, contact numbers, and websites. He drafted a raw resume for Ari, highlighting her experience at Bajaj Enterprises, tailoring it to emphasize her project management and client-handling prowess, despite the shadow cast by her family ties.
With the list and resume printed, Ishaan moved to the kitchen, the rhythmic chopping of vegetables for a breakfast of poha and chai a soothing ritual. He swept the floors, tidied the living room, and ensured the morning chores were done, his movements precise and purposeful. Ari emerged around 7:00 AM, her eyes puffy from a restless night, her steps slow as she freshened up. Ishaan greeted her with a gentle smile, handing her the folder. "Cheer up, Ari. I've made a list of companies where you can send your resume. Email them today, and whoever calls for an interview, I'll take you there tomorrow. We'll find a way forward together."
Ari's gaze dropped to the papers, her initial skepticism evident. "Ishaan, I walked into Grandfather's company. My experience there… it might not matter much. They'll see it as nepotism." Her voice wavered, the sting of rejection still raw.
Ishaan stepped closer, his tone firm yet encouraging. "Don't lose hope. You're skilled—more than they realize. I'll be with you all the way. Prepare for the interviews, send those emails, and let's see what happens." His words, paired with the effort he'd invested, sparked a flicker of hope in her eyes. She nodded, a tentative smile breaking through, and sat down to refine the resume, her fingers typing with renewed purpose.
With Ari occupied, Ishaan used the pretext of "work" to slip out, heading to Ravi's flat. The rain had stopped, leaving the streets slick and reflective. At Ravi's, the air buzzed with the hum of editing software, but Ishaan's mind was elsewhere. In a moment of desperation, he dialed Simi, his voice low but urgent. "Simi, I need help. Ari's been disowned by her grandfather, and we've been evicted. I made a list of companies for her to apply to—Legacy Construction, Horizon Builders, Pinnacle Projects, and others. Do you know any of them? Can you help her get a job?"
Simi's voice came through, warm and reassuring. "Ishaan, slow down. Let me check." She paused, then continued, "I know three—Legacy Construction, Horizon Builders, and Pinnacle Projects. My father, Mr. Singh, is a shareholder and board member in Horizon and Pinnacle, and Legacy's owner, Mr. Chadda, is his childhood friend. He treats me like a niece." Ishaan hesitated, his pride surfacing. "I feel like a burden, asking again. You've helped with modeling, the bike…"
Simi cut him off with a laugh. "Silly! You saved my father's life—cleared that debt with Deep. What we've done is nothing compared to that. I'd do anything for you. Wait ten minutes." The line went silent, and Ishaan paced Ravi's cluttered room, his nerves taut.
Ten minutes later, Simi called back, her tone triumphant. "Ishaan, it's set. I spoke to Mr. Chadda at Legacy Construction. He's preparing everything—you just need to go there. I've given him Ari Bajaj's name. He'll treat her well, offer the best position. You said she sent an email?"
"Yes, this morning," Ishaan replied, hope rising.
"No problem," Simi said. "She'll get a call for an interview tomorrow morning, first thing. Good luck!" Ishaan thanked her profusely, his gratitude spilling over before he ended the call.
Next, he dialed Basu Bhai, the underworld don's gravelly voice a steady anchor. "Boss, I'm meeting your mother and uncles this afternoon as planned. They'll discuss returning the business. Stay cautious." Ishaan agreed, appreciating the warning, and hung up.
Turning to Ravi, he found his friend grinning. "Views are still soaring—past 45 million! We should shoot more reels." They spent the next hour filming, Ishaan's masked agility captivating the camera, the session a brief escape from his worries. As the afternoon waned, Ishaan returned home, the day's gloom lifting slightly.
In the evening, Ari's phone pinged with replies from three companies—Tara Builders, Prosperity Construction and Legacy Construction—requesting interviews. Her face brightened, a spark of optimism returning. "Maybe I can score a job tomorrow," she said, her voice tinged with cautious excitement. They completed their evening routine—dinner of dal and roti, cleaning up—before retiring, the night promising a new beginning.
Monday, October arrived with a crisp 8:00 AM start. Ishaan and Ari set out, the Royal Enfield cutting through the morning traffic. Their first stop was Tara Builders. Ari emerged after an hour, her expression dejected. "They offered an internship—three months, no salary. Said my experience at Bajaj Enterprises doesn't count much since it was family-run. I have a degree, but they want proof beyond that." Ishaan's heart sank, but he masked it with encouragement.
At Prosperity Construction, Ari returned equally disheartened, the same excuse echoing. Ishaan, standing outside the gate, felt a growing certainty. "This next one—Legacy Construction—I feel it in my gut. You'll get the job there." He led her to the address, the building's modern facade a beacon of hope. Ari dialed the HR department from outside Legacy Construction, her voice steady despite the knot of nerves in her stomach. The moment she mentioned her name, the receptionist's tone shifted to an unexpected warmth. "Ms. Bajaj! We've been expecting you. Please come in—our team is eager to meet you." The enthusiasm caught her off guard, a stark contrast to the cold rejections earlier, but she brushed it off as professional courtesy and stepped inside.
The interview room hummed with a professional yet oddly welcoming vibe. Mr. Chadda, a jovial man with a broad smile and twinkling eyes, greeted her personally at the door. "Ari, it's a pleasure to have you here," he said, his tone so friendly it felt almost personal. The panel—comprising HR and senior managers—listened intently as she outlined her experience, their nods and smiles more generous than she'd anticipated. They reviewed her civil engineering degree and business management post-graduation, then offered a managing position with a ₹2.5 lakh salary, plus incentives for securing good clients. "We believe you're a perfect fit," the lead interviewer added, their kindness almost overwhelming. Ari's jaw dropped, disbelief mingling with a surge of joy. "I… I accept," she stammered, the offer far exceeding her expectations, leaving her wondering why they were so exceptionally nice.
She burst out of the building, rushing to Ishaan with a radiant smile. "I got it! ₹2.5 lakhs, maybe more with incentives! Grandfather's disownment… it's like he's blessed me instead!" They mounted the Royal Enfield, the victory sweet on their tongues as they rode home, the wind carrying her laughter. At the flat, Ari shared the news with Lajja and Misahay, who beamed with pride. "Our daughter's a star!" Lajja exclaimed. "Earning 2.5 lakhs—far better than 1 lakh! Ishaan, you're no good for her now—she's outgrown you."
Unaware that Ishaan's discreet efforts with Simi had paved the way, they showered Ari with praise, their words a bitter irony. Ishaan smiled faintly, his heart set on proving them wrong, his growing wealth and silent plans a promise to elevate Ari beyond their comprehension.