Scene 1: Kriti's Major Work Failure
The office atmosphere felt unusually tense that morning.
Kriti walked in confidently—too confidently for someone who had no idea what was waiting for her.
She dropped her bag on the desk and smiled.
"Today is going to be easy," she told herself.
It wasn't.
Within an hour, her senior called her name.
"Kriti. Conference room. Now."
That tone alone made her pause.
She walked in slowly.
Inside, the supervisor placed a file in front of her.
"This report you submitted yesterday… it went to the client."
Kriti blinked. "Yes… and?"
A long silence followed.
Then the supervisor spoke again.
"It had incorrect data."
Kriti's smile slowly disappeared.
"…What?"
"The client noticed. We received a complaint."
Her face changed instantly.
"But I— I thought I corrected everything!"
The supervisor shook his head.
"You corrected only half. The rest was still wrong."
Kriti sank slightly into the chair.
For once, there was no joke.
No excuse.
Just silence.
Scene 2: Ayaan Gets the Call
At that exact moment, Ayaan was in a meeting.
His phone rang once.
He didn't usually pick calls during meetings.
But when he saw the name, he answered immediately.
"Yes."
A voice on the other end explained the situation briefly.
Ayaan didn't interrupt.
When the call ended, he stood up.
"Meeting is over," he said.
No explanation.
No discussion.
He walked out.
Scene 3: Ayaan's "Strict Punishment"
Kriti was still sitting in the conference room when Ayaan entered.
She looked up slowly.
"…Uncle."
He placed the file on the table.
"You submitted unchecked work."
Kriti quickly raised her hands.
"I swear I checked it! I just— maybe I didn't check it enough."
Ayaan stared at her.
Silence.
Then—
"You will redo the entire report."
Kriti sighed loudly.
"Of course."
"And," he added calmly, "you will stay after office hours for one week."
Her eyes widened.
"What? That's illegal emotional punishment."
Ayaan didn't react.
"And," he continued, "you will not use your phone during work hours for that week."
Kriti stood up.
"That is cruel!"
Ayaan looked at her.
"It is discipline."
Kriti pointed at him.
"You enjoy this too much."
Ayaan replied calmly, "No. I tolerate it efficiently."
That made one of the nearby employees almost smile.
Kriti noticed.
"Even they think this is harsh!"
Ayaan turned slightly.
"They think it is necessary."
Kriti froze.
That was worse.
Scene 4: Ayaan and Anaya's Professional Link Grows
Later that day, Ayaan received another request from media.
Anaya's newsroom.
A follow-up interview clarification request.
He paused for a moment before replying.
Then accepted.
Scene 5: Second Interaction with Anaya
This time, the meeting was arranged in a private office room.
No car.
No movement.
Just stillness.
Anaya entered with her notebook.
"Thank you for agreeing again."
Ayaan nodded once.
"Start."
Anaya smiled slightly.
"Short as always."
Ayaan replied, "Efficient saves time."
She didn't argue.
Instead, she continued.
But this time, something was different.
The conversation wasn't just professional questions.
It had more weight behind it.
More depth.
Anaya asked carefully,
"Do you think people misunderstand strictness as lack of emotion?"
Ayaan paused slightly.
"They misunderstand what they don't understand."
Anaya nodded slowly.
"That sounds like experience talking."
Ayaan looked at her for a brief moment.
"Experience replaces assumptions."
That answer stayed in the room longer than expected.
Not emotional.
But sharp.
Clear.
Ending Scene
After the meeting ended, Anaya stepped out first.
She didn't rush.
Something about the conversation stayed in her thoughts.
Ayaan remained inside for a moment longer than usual.
Not because of the interview.
But because the questions weren't simple anymore.
They were starting to feel more layered.
Meanwhile, across the city…
Kriti was still complaining loudly on the phone about her punishment.
And at home, Mahi was quietly watching her laptop screen again.
Three lives.
Three directions.
Slowly moving closer to something none of them fully understood yet.