Yuvan didn't spare a glance at anyone. He just walked through the aisle with an icy confidence none of them had ever seen on him.
As he passed Megha's desk, he stopped for half a second.His voice was cold, clipped."Why is this area so crowded? Don't you all have work?"
Chairs scraped. Conversations died instantly. Everyone scattered back to their desks like students caught by a strict lecturer.
Sachi sat frozen.
Shock punched through her as memories flashed:Her gripping his wrist.Pulling him down to her level.The times she smacked his head with a book.The slap. The shouting.
And the worst—She once had a crush on him.
Now he was her Vice President.
Varun walked into the cabin with him, closing the door behind them.Inside, Varun introduced himself again, formally this time.
"Sir, as I mentioned earlier, I'm Varun—your personal assistant from today."
Yuvan nodded once, expression unreadable.
Outside, Sachi still hadn't moved. Her entire brain felt like it had short-circuited.
As soon as Varun stepped out of the cabin, closing the door behind him, Yuvan turned his face toward the window.
His jaw tightened.
Yesterday's conversation with MM replayed in his head like a punch he kept taking again and again.
"Grandpa," he had said quietly, "let me handle the Kindle Creation Department."
MM had leaned back, clearly stunned.This was nowhere close to what he expected.
"You?" MM frowned. "How will you manage such a big responsibility?"
Yuvan had met his gaze without flinching."You wanted me to start taking the business seriously, right?Fine. I'll do it."
MM had stared at him for a long, heavy moment.Finally, he said, "Give me some time to think."
And now, standing in his new cabin, looking out at the city below.
Sanjay didn't bother knocking—he barged straight into MM's cabin, face flushed with frustration.
"Dad, how can you do this?" he snapped. "How can you remove Sushant? He's been handling our marketing for years!"
MM didn't even flinch."Calm down, Sanjay."
"Calm down?" Sanjay's voice rose. "Sushant has built that department! And suddenly you move him? For what?"
MM sighed, folding his hands on the desk."I have not removed him. I've promoted him. He will be heading a higher division now. Marketing is the smallest department—we can let Yuvan start from there."
"That's not the point!" Sanjay slammed his palm on the desk. "Why is that illegitimate kid being given a position here?"
MM's expression changed instantly—cold, sharp, dangerous.
"Enough."His voice echoed through the cabin."Yuvan is my grandson, just like Sushant. You will not speak about him like that again. Now leave."
Sanjay clenched his jaw, humiliated, furious.But he had no choice—he turned and stormed out of the cabin.
Yuvan—who had just finished scanning a few documents—He called Varun.
"Call the entire branding team," Yuvan said in a steady, cold tone."Conference room. I want an internal discussion."
Varun nodded immediately and rushed to inform everyone.
***
The branding team filed into the conference room—Rekha, Ricky, Hitesh, Megha, Neha, SM and finally Sachi, who took her usual corner seat.
Everyone was talking quietly.
"He's too young to lead a whole department…""MM's grandson or not, experience matters.""I heard he used to bunk meetings…"
Sachi sat silently, pretending to focus on her notebook, deliberately avoiding any discussion involving Yuvan.
The door opened. Yuvan entered. Calm expression.No jokes. No lazy grin.A completely different man from the chaotic intern everyone remembered.
All conversation died.
He took the head seat and said, without looking up—
"Let's begin."
Ricky started presenting the weekly issues. Half the team braced themselves for confusion or beginner questions.
But instead—
Yuvan leaned forward and said,
"Don't change that tagline. Last time engagement dropped 7% when we altered tone. Keep consistency for at least three campaigns before refreshing."
Megha blinked rapidly, "he remembers the data?" she whispered to Ricky.
Hitesh raised a concern about the creative timeline, and Yuvan immediately responded—
"We'll overlap the audio production with visual drafts. Saves us six days. And use ambient reels for Triumph Sounds—late-night traffic converts better for them."
Rekha looked at Sachi, surprised."This boy did homework."
Sachi's pen paused mid-air.
He wasn't fumbling through the meeting.He wasn't pretending.He was leading—decisively, efficiently, confidently.
Megha leaned toward Sachi."When did he become this smart?"
Sachi kept her face blank.But inside, her thoughts raced: How? When did he learn all this?Was he pretending earlier?
Yuvan ended the meeting with—
"No unnecessary complications. Keep updates clear. I want results, not drama. Meeting dismissed."
Everyone stood up, impressed—and startled.
For the first time, they weren't questioning him.They respected him.
Sachi closed her laptop quietly.
The conference ended, people dispersed with fresh respect for Yuvan…Except Sachi, who grabbed her laptop and hurried out, avoiding even looking at him.
For two days, Sachi had been avoiding him like he was a walking Wi-Fi outage.
Yuvan was officially on a mission —a mission to talk to Sachi and clear everything,and he wasn't going to stop until she listened.
Sachi stepped into the lift. Right before the doors could close— A hand shot in.
Yuvan.
He entered casually… but immediately pressed:
"Door Close""Door Open""Door Close""Door Open"
Sachi glared."Are you okay?"
Yuvan cleared his throat. "…Just checking if the buttons work."
"They always worked."
He nodded."Yeah. I know. Just like… communication should also work."
Sachi turned away.
Yuvan leaned slightly.
"Sachi, can we talk?"
"No."
"Okay… then can you listen?"
"No."
The lift dinged.
She walked out.
Yuvan followed two steps behind, muttering— "So basically… you're on a strict 'no talk, no listen, no look at Yuvan' diet?"
She didn't turn.
Then Sachi stood at the pantry, making coffee.
Yuvan walked in.
Immediately the machine beeped:
"ERROR. CUP NOT DETECTED."
Sachi sighed.Yuvan stepped beside her.
"Oh? Looks like it's angry too," he said. "But I can fix it," Yuvan said confidently.
He pressed one button. Coffee blasted sideways. Onto him. Full splash on his shirt.
He blinked.
Sachi stared.
For a full two seconds.
Then—
A tiny snort escaped her.
Yuvan wiped his shirt, unbothered.
"At least I got your attention."
"Yeah," she said, trying not to laugh. "The coffee had to sacrifice itself."
"That's fine," he smirked. "I would've done it for you anyway."
Her eyes widened.
He corrected quickly—
"I MEAN— not fall on you— the coffee— I mean—"
She walked away.
He stood there, defeated, drenched, but smiling.
Next day Sachi walked through the office corridor.
Yuvan appeared beside her like a ghost.
She jumped slightly. "Stop popping out like that," she snapped.
"I wasn't popping out. I was… walking in a parallel emotional universe where you don't hate me."
"Apply for visa," she said. "You're not entering."
He actually smiled. "Okay fine. At least listen to me?"
She didn't respond.
Yuvan stepped in front of her, blocking the way.
Sachi took a step left. He moved left.
She stepped right. He stepped right.
She stopped.
Yuvan smiled innocently.
"I can do this all day."
"Yuvan— move."
"Then talk to me."
She exhaled sharply, annoyed.
"Are you five?"
He grinned. "Mentally? When it comes to you — maybe."
She shoved past him.
He let her.
But whispered just loud enough— "It's okay. I like this angry version too."
She froze for half a second…Then kept walking.
ON WEEKEND
The weekend was quiet inside the Yuvan's mansion. While the world believed Yuvan spent his free days sleeping, gaming, or wasting time, the reality was far from it.
Behind the door of his bedroom lay another room—an attached study room that hardly anyone knew about. A long table stretched across the wall, holding two desktops and a laptop, all glowing with different screens. Financial charts, company analytics, internal blueprints, and a web of hidden folders only he could access.
Yuvan worked without distraction, eyes sharp, expression unreadable.Magnus Group was not something he had prepared for last week or last month.He had been preparing for years. Quietly. Secretly. Meticulously.
Even MM didn't know how deep his involvement ran.
Now, another tab blinked open—Kindle Creatives, a venture he had quietly nurtured on the side. The strategy, the structure, the pipeline… he had already planned it all.
Another window popped up beside it—one he visited often.
Old CCTV footage.Police reports.Archived witness statements.
His parents' accident.
He stared at the screen, fingers going still. There was a thin thread hidden somewhere in the chaos, and he would find it—no matter how long it took.
Monday came with routine noise in the office—keyboards clacking, coffee machines humming, the usual chatter. By 10:30, the entire internal team was gather in the conference room for the weekly updates.
Yuvan sat at the head of the table, strangely calm, listening without interrupting. Everyone gave their reports, one by one.
Finally, Ricky and Hitesh spoke up. "Sir," Ricky started cheerfully, "we've planned the annual office trip. HR finalisedthe place. We just need your approval."
Yuvan lifted an eyebrow. "Which place?"
"Mahabaleshwar," Hitesh replied. "Budget approved by HR too."
Yuvan simply said—"Fine. Proceed." "And I'm joining," he added casually.
The room actually fell quiet.
"And Varun will come along." Varun nearly dropped the notepad.
Ricky grinned like a child. "Sir, really? You're coming?"
Yuvan didn't look up from his phone. "Problem?"
"N-No!" Ricky said quickly. "Not at all."
The team buzzed with excitement as they walked out of the room.He wasn't letting Sachi out of his sight—Not with Ricky wandering around her like a confused puppy.
Across the city, Urvi was living a very different Monday.
Shreya's boutique was filled with customers, the soft scents of perfumes and new fabric floating in the air. Dresses hung from golden rails, each one more elegant than the last.
Urvi stood near the counter, fixing price tags and arranging colour samples. She moved quietly, unsure, but every now and then someone would stop near one of her designs.
"This is lovely," a woman said, touching the sleeve of a pastel dress. "Who made it?"
Urvi opened her mouth to answer, but Shreya beat her to it, smiling proudly.
"She did."
More customers joined.More compliments followed.Whispers of "beautiful stitch work" and "unique patterns" filled her ears.
For the first time in a long while, warmth bloomed in her chest.A feeling she had forgotten—being valued.
"Excuse me," a masculine voice said.
She looked up to see a man with cropped hair, sunglasses, and a guitar case slung over his shoulder.
"Do you take custom orders for stage outfits?"
Urvi blinked. He looked familiar—painfully familiar—but she couldn't place him.
Then it struck her. "You're… Kabir? From Echo3?"
He grinned, removing his sunglasses."Finally. Someone recognizes me without the long hair."
Urvi shook her head, embarrassed and amused.
"I'm sorry, I just… didn't expect to see you here."
"Well," he said, leaning casually against the counter, "lucky I did end up here."
Urvi's cheeks warmed—just a little—before she caught herself.
"Come," she said briskly. "Let's sit. Tell me what exactly you're looking for."
She led him to the boutique's small seating area—a cozy corner with soft lights, fabric swatches, and mannequins dressed in her latest designs.
Kabir sat, still grinning like he knew something she didn't.
Urvi opened her notebook. "Alright. What kind of costume are you expecting?"
Kabir leaned forward. "Something stage-worthy. Comfortable. Unique. You know… the kind that makes the audience forget the music and stare at me instead."
Urvi raised a brow. "So basically, you want attention."
He placed a hand dramatically over his heart. "Madam, I amattention. You just have to dress it."
She fought a smile. "Fine. Do you have any references? Colors? Fabric preferences?"
Kabir shook his head. "Nope. I want your design. Whatever you think suits me."
Urvi paused—then her pencil moved instantly, sketching clean, confident lines."Alright. I'll work on a few concepts and update you once I have something solid."
She pulled out her business card and handed it to him.
Kabir accepted it — then glanced at it to read her name.
"Urvi," he murmured, a small smile forming. "Nice."
She smiled back, slightly shy."Once the designs are ready, I'll let you know."
"Looking forward to it," he said.
He gave her a quick nod and walked out of the boutique, the doorbell chiming softly behind him.
Urvi watched him leave for a second… then returned to her sketches with a tiny smile she didn't even notice forming.
***
The office had been buzzing for days with excitement — the annual team trip to Mahabaleshwar was finally here. Yuvan, of course, was fully aware of the team's usual budget pick: a modest villa they'd booked earlier. But for Sachi, he had quietly upgraded to a luxurious villa, with sprawling gardens and a private pool. Not that anyone but him and Varun knew the reason.
As the team reached the villa, Hitesh immediately started commenting on the "swanky" place. "Wow, this is way better than what we booked!" Rekha squealed, while Ricky ran around exploring the rooms like a kid in a candy store. Neha started taking pictures to upload on her social media, while Megha kept an eye on everyone, making sure no one got too reckless. Sachi, however, was still slightly annoyed at Yuvan and was quietly trying to settle in.
Yuvan, seeing her distant demeanor, leaned toward her, lowering his voice, "So… can we ta..?"
Sachi cut him off with a flat look. "Not now."
He raised an eyebrow, smirking. "Fine. But I'll find the perfect moment."
Later, by the pool, the fun started. Ricky challenged Hitesh to a cannonball contest, Rekha and Neha were competing on floating noodles, and Varun and Megha were relaxing with drinks. Sachiwas trying to enjoy the water, half ignoring Yuvan, half fending off Ricky's endless teasing about "pool tricks."
The team decided to take the volleyball match into the pool, turning the afternoon into total chaos. Ricky served first, splashing water everywhere, but somehow kept his aim sharp.
"Nice serve, Ricky!" Sachi cheered, laughing as she dodged a stray splash.
"Thanks! I'm unstoppable!" Ricky bragged, striking a heroic pose mid-splash.
Yuvan, standing on the opposite team's side, smirked. "Oh really? Let's see how unstoppable you are." He jumped in, water splashing all over, and immediately started dominating—blocking every shot and spiking the ball with perfect timing, soaking everyone near him.
Sachi groaned, trying to hide her amusement.
Every time Ricky scored, Yuvan would dramatically dive through the water, snatching the ball, making it impossible for Ricky to win. Sachi kept laughing, dodging water, cheering for Ricky, and simultaneously trying to ignore Yuvan's smirks and little playful nudges every time they got too close.
By the end, everyone was dripping wet, laughing hysterically.
Later in the evening, in the open-air garden. Flames from the grill flickered as drinks were poured, the aroma of sizzling food filling the air. Sachi was carefully placing vegetables on the grill while trying not to spill her lemon soda. Yuvan hovered nearby, pretending to help, but clearly more interested in watching her than the BBQ.
"Here, let me do this," he said, taking the tongs from her.
"I'm fine, thanks," she replied, not looking at him.
Undeterred, Yuvan made himself busy turning the skewers, occasionally tossing in playful jabs. "Ricky's having way too much fun chatting with you. Don't tell me you're ignoring me for him?"
Sachi laughed, rolling her eyes. "I'm not ignoring anyone. Focus on the food, Mr. VP."
He pouted slightly, "Hmph. Fine.
As the night went on, everyone relaxed. Hitesh and Ricky were dancing to some music on a portable speaker, Neha was laughing at their awkward moves, and Sachi finally let herself enjoy the evening. Yuvan stayed close enough to tease her gently and occasionally try to start a conversation — which she kept short, annoyed but secretly amused.
By the end of the night, Yuvan had succeeded in making her laugh at least twice, even if she refused to admit it. And for the first time in days, Sachi allowed herself to relax — with just enough eye rolls at Yuvan to make it a playful war between them.
The drinks were finished, but the fun didn't stop.
"I'll get more," Ricky volunteered, stretching his arms.
Sachi's eyes narrowed. "Ricky you can barely move, I'll go."
Yuvan held up a hand. "No. It's already too dark. I'll come with you."
Just then, Varun stepped near, phone in hand. "Sir… MM is trying to call you."
Yuvan sighed, retrieving his phone. The screen was full of missed calls, he called back, moving toward a quieter corner away from the music.
On the call, MM's voice was stern, "Yuvan, why you are reviewing the files on your parents' accident? After ten years, why now?"
Yuvan's voice turned low, measured, with a hint of pain. "Grandpa… some truths don't fade. I need to see this… for me, not for anyone else."
The conversation left him momentarily lost in thought. Drinks forgotten, he slipped away toward his room, the festive chaos fading behind him.
Forty minutes later, tension was thick among the group. The drink shop was just a ten-minute drive away. Megha tried calling Sachi repeatedly, worry etched on her face.
Yuvan finally came out from the villa, noticing the tense atmosphere.He frowned. "What happened?"
Neha quickly answered, "Sachi went to get drinks—"
Megha cut in anxiously, "—and it's just ten minutes away. She should be back!"
The worry in her voice sharpened Yuvan's focus instantly.
Without wasting a second, he turned to Varun."Give me the car keys," he ordered.Then to the others, "Keep trying her number. Stay here."
He drove quickly to the shop—and halfway saw a car, it was same car as Ricky mentioned but the car was empty. Heart pounding, he grabbed his phone's flashlight and called her name into the darkness.
A small pathway caught his eye. He sprinted down it, calling again. Finally, he saw her, phone flashlight in hand. Relief washed over him as he rushed toward her and hugged her tightly.
"What are you doing here?" he asked, half-angry, half-relieved.
Sachi pushed him lightly, exasperated. "What you're doing here?"
Yuvan's voice tightened with anger. "What if something happened to you? What if someone kidnapped you? Why go alone in the first place?"
Sachi's eyes flashed, her tone sharp. "Why are you worrying so much? Why are you getting angry? What you did—this is nothing. Stop acting like you care!"
She started walking back toward the small road leading to the car. He sighed, and followed her "Sachi. Wait."
She ignored him.
He walked faster. "Sachi, just listen—"
"I'm not interested," she snapped without looking at him.
He finally lost patience.
"Fine!" he said loud enough."I didn't message you that day! Miha tricked me and took my phone!"
Sachi froze mid-step.
Yuvan continued, breath sharp, frustration cracking his voice.
"That club is owned by Gauresh. I've been there a hundred times. The staff knows me. When they heard someone was looking for me, they called—THAT'S how I came to know you were there."
She still didn't turn.
He added quietly but firmly,"Believe it or don't believe it. But that's the truth."
And headed back toward the car in silence passing by Sachi.
Sachi stood there, heart pounding. Because deep down—she knew exactly what Miha was capable of. And she believed him.
Yuvan stayed inside his car until Sachi started driving back toward the villa.
He followed her car closely the entire way—headlights locked on her taillights. They both pulled into the villa almost together.
Sachi stepped out with the box of drinks in her hands.Everyone rushed toward her, relief washing over their faces.
"Sachi! Where were you?" Megha exclaimed.
Sachi explained calmly, "A lady asked for a lift. It was dark, so I helped her. That's why I got late."
The team finally breathed.
But behind her, Yuvan climbed out of his car… silent, stiff, jaw tight.
He didn't say a word.Didn't look at anyone.
His eyes met hers for a split second—frustration, fear, anger, guilt all mixed in one—and then he simply turned and walked straight to his room.
Sachi watched him disappear inside, feeling something twist in her chest.
But the group, after that moment of tension, tried to lift the mood again. "Okay, drinks are here!" Hitesh cheered.
Rekha placed the bottles on the table. "Come on, everyone! Spin the bottle!"
Music resumed, laughter returned, people gathered in a circle.
The night outside the villa had turned quiet, but inside Sachi'smind everything was loud.She sat with the team, pretending to listen to their laughter, their dares, their endless stories… but her thoughts kept circling the same point.
She had slapped at him. Without knowing the full truth. Without letting him explain. Why did she always do this?
Upstairs, far away from the noise, Yuvan lay on the bed in his dimly lit room, one arm under his head, his other hand loosely holding the old four-clover keychain. The metal looked worn, but he held it as if it were the most precious thing he owned. His expression was unreadable, his eyes fixed on the ceiling, but his mind drifting far away—back to a time long, he remembered the park.
He was fifteen, alone on a bench, reading quietly, when those four boys had walked up. He remembered their taunts like poison—words that cut deeper because they hit wounds he already carried.
"I heard your mom had an affair.""That's why they kicked you out, right?""Illegitimate kid—"
He had punched one, out of instinct, out of pain, out of desperation.And then all four were on him.
Their fists, their kicks, their voices—it all blurred into one ugly moment.
Until someone strode into it like a spark hitting gasoline.
"AYE!" a sharp, fearless voice rang out. "Chota size ke gunde! Stop before I make you practice running instead of bullying!"
The boys actually froze.Even young Yuvan had looked up, confused.
She was impossible to miss—tall for a teenage girl, wearing an oversized hoodie, flared jeans, backpack on her back and a confidence that made the air around her shift. Her ponytail was messy, and her eyes were so fierce they could scare away a storm.
Sachi.
One of the boys tried to laugh it off."Mind your business—"
But Sachi didn't even blink."My business? If stupidity paid money, you four would be CEOs. Now get lost before I record a video and show it to police."
They ran.They actually ran.
Then she turned toward him.
Yuvan was still sitting on the ground, staring at her like she had descended from another world.
She crouched, brushed the dirt off his shoulder with blunt practicality, and pulled him up."Stand properly."
He obeyed.He didn't know why, but he obeyed. "Thanks," he whispered.
"Don't thank me," she said, inspecting the cut on his lip. "Next time aim properly. You're punching like a baby pigeon."
He blinked.Was that an insult?A compliment?Both?
Before he could figure it out, she grabbed his wrist and dragged him toward the chemist.
She bought a first-aid kit, sat him down on a bench outside, and cleaned his wounds with a softness that didn't match her loud personality. When he winced, she clicked her tongue.
"People talk nonsense when they're scared of you," she told him. "Stop listening to idiots. And don't let anyone make you feel small. Got it?"
He nodded silently.
The truth was… in that moment, she had already changed something inside him.
She stood abruptly."Okay. Bye."
Just like that.As if she hadn't just saved him from getting beaten senseless.She walked away, ponytail swinging.
He watched until she faded into the crowd…and that was when he saw it—something small glinting near the bench.
A four-clover keychain.
He picked it up. He remembered seeing it hanging from her backpack.
He kept it.
After that day, he saw her—at a café, and outside his house.
In his room now, Yuvan closed his fist gently around it. The memory faded, but the ache stayed.
Downstairs, Sachi finally excused herself from the group and stepped out on the balcony, her chest tight and heavy with guilt. She didn't know he was upstairs holding the reason he'd fallen for her years ago.
Next morning, Sachi woke up with a soft groan, the echoes of last night's chaos still somewhere in her head.Downstairs, the villa looked like the aftermath of a fun war.
Ricky and Hitesh were sprawled on the couch, holding their heads and complaining in half-words. Megha was in the kitchen, expertly flipping omelettes for everyone, while Neha chopped onions beside her. Outside, Rekha sat on the garden bench, sipping her morning coffee and enjoying the peace.
As Sachi walked in, Neha turned with a cheerful, "Morning!" and Megha followed with a warm smile.
Sachi smiled back and stepped into the kitchen. "Where's Varun? Didn't see him."
Neha wiped her hands. "Oh—Varun and Yuvan left early. He said they had important work."
Sachi nodded, trying not to read too much into that.
After breakfast, everyone slowly pulled themselves together. Bags packed, rooms checked, leftover snacks stuffed into tote bags—the villa buzzed with return-trip energy. Finally, with good memories and heavy hearts, they locked the place and headed to the cars.
They split up into two:Ricky's car — Ricky, Megha, Sachi, and Hitesh.SM's car — Neha and Rekha.
Once they hit the road, Ricky adjusted his sunglasses dramatically.
"Man… last night," he groaned. "Sachi, you made us panic like anything."
Before Sachi could reply, Megha twisted in her seat. "Correct. We were all going mad! And Yuvan—" she scoffed lightly—"after hearing about you he had just run off, he panicked even more."
The car went quiet for a moment.
Sachi stared out the window, pretending to ignore it…but the way her heartbeat skipped, she wasn't fooling anyone.
The next day at the office, Sachi kept glancing at the door, minute after minute, hoping Yuvan would walk in. People came and went, colleagues chatting or rushing past, but it wasn't him.
Megha, noticing her friend's unusual behavior, finally leaned closer. "Who are you waiting for? You've been staring at the door like a hawk."
Sachi hesitated, biting her lip. "Yeah… I mean, I'm waiting for Yuvan… to get his approval on the Crestline proposal."
Megha raised an eyebrow. "Wait, since when did you start taking approvals from the VP?"
Sachi froze, caught off guard.
"Uh… Yuvan asked me to," she said quickly, her voice small.
Megha studied her carefully, suspicion flickering in her eyes. "Hmm… he asked you… but not us?"
Sachi felt her stomach twist. She swallowed, trying to hide the nervous flutter rising in her chest. Before she could form a proper reply, the office door suddenly opened.
Yuvan walked in.
Sachi's breath hitched. "He—he's here," she muttered quickly, and without waiting for Megha's reaction, she rushed after him.
From the corridor, she saw him stride straight into his cabin. Sachi hurried, knocked once, and slipped inside.
Yuvan looked up, surprised.Just as she opened her mouth to speak—
The door swung open again.
"Yuvan," Varun said briskly, "we need to go —everyone already waiting."
Yuvan turned to Sachi immediately. "Is anything urgent?"
Sachi froze. With Varun standing there, her courage evaporated.
"No… nothing serious. We can talk later," she said quickly.
Yuvan hesitated, but the pressure of the meeting pulled him away. "Alright. After the meeting," he promised, then left with Varun.
Left alone, Sachi exhaled in frustration.
She spent the next hour wandering between floors, checking discreetly if Yuvan was free. But every time she checked, he was still in a meeting.
As she finally headed back toward her own department's meeting room, she caught a glimpse of Yuvan coming out of the conference hall, surrounded by seniors. Her steps slowed instinctively—
"Sachi! Come fast, we're waiting for you!" Megha called from inside their meeting room.
Sachi bit her lip and hurried in.
Inside, everyone was already discussing project updates. ButSachi's mind wasn't here.It kept circling back to the same thought:
Usually he's the one hovering around me… and now, when I finally want to talk, I can't even get one minute…
"Sachi."No response.
"Sachi?"Still nothing.
"SACHI!" SM's voice boomed.
She jolted. "Yes?!"
Everyone turned, surprised. Sachi never got distracted in meetings.
SM narrowed his eyes. "We asked for your update on the Crestline progress."
"Oh—yes, sir." She straightened, forcing her voice steady as she spoke about the project timeline, metrics, and pending approvals. Her words were correct, but her mind… nowhere near it.
After the meeting, when the room emptied, Megha stopped her.
"Sachi… what's going on with you today?" Megha folded her arms. "Since morning you're acting totally different. Not your usual self at all."
Sachi looked away.
Megha squinted. "Wait—are you in love? Because there's only one thing that makes people behave like this."
Sachi instantly jumped back. "What? No! Absolutely not."
Megha raised a brow.
Sachi shook her head harder. "I'm just… stressed. Too many things going on. And you're overthinking." She grabbed her laptop and hurried toward the door. "I need some air."
And with that, she walked out before Megha could ask anything else—her heart pounding, her thoughts chaotic, and one name echoing louder than all of them.
Work hours were finally over, but Sachi still hadn't gotten a single chance to talk to Yuvan.
Every time she tried, something came in the way—once Varun dragged him into another call,then SM asked for a quick review,and later she saw him walking with board members, completely occupied.
By the end of the day, her head was heavy with unspoken words.
She packed her things, slung her bag over her shoulder, and headed downstairs.
As she stepped out of the building, her eyes automatically scanned the parking area—and then she froze.
At a distance, she saw Yuvan sitting on his bike, adjusting his helmet.
Her heartbeat kicked up. She started walking quickly toward him. Then faster.
Almost running.
But just when she was a few steps away, the bike surged forward and he rode ahead, exiting the gate.
Sachi stopped abruptly, slightly breathless, disappointment pooling in her chest.She bent, placing her hands on her knees, trying to catch her breath.
A voice came from behind her.
"Whom are you running after?"
Sachi's head snapped up.
She turned—
It was Yuvan, standing right behind her.
She startled so visibly that he raised an eyebrow.
"What?" he asked dryly. "Did you see a ghost?"
Sachi blinked at him, caught completely off guard.Then, despite everything, a small, helpless smile tugged at her lips.
Yuvan's expression softened just a little."Waiting for a cab?"
Sachi shook her head. "No… actually I—"
She paused, hoping he'd understand she wanted him to drop her, but saying it aloud felt embarrassing.
Yuvan nodded casually. "Alright then," he said, turning to walk away as if nothing was unusual.
Sachi's eyes widened."Yuvan—wait!"
He stopped mid-step.
Inside, he already knew she wanted to talk about yesterday's incident.And because he knew… he couldn't resist messing with her a little.
Sachi said, I wanted to talk—"
"Hmm," he nodded dramatically, "of course. Everyone runs breathlessly behind their VP just to say 'hi'."
Sachi's jaw dropped. She was totally unaware he was teasing her.
"Yuvan, I'm serious!"
"I know," he finally said, a hint of a smile tugging at his lips.Then he tilted his head toward the bike."Come. I'll drop you."
Sachi blinked again.
"Before you start running again and faint in the parking lot," he added dryly.
Without waiting for further reaction, he walked toward the bike.
Sachi followed—her heartbeat steadying, but her cheeks warm—finally getting the chance she'd been yearning for all day.
Sachi climbed onto the bike behind him, her fingers lightly clutching the edge of his suit.The ride was quiet… but not awkward.More like both of them were waiting for the right moment.
Except Yuvan didn't take the usual left turn toward her lane.
He took a right.
Sachi leaned forward slightly. "Uh… Yuvan? My house—"
"We're not going home," he said simply.
Her heart skipped. "Then where?"
"You wanted to talk, right?"He glanced at her through the rear-view mirror."So we'll talk somewhere better."
Ten minutes later, he parked outside a small café—quiet, warm lights, barely any crowd.The kind of place where conversations didn't get interrupted.
They sat inside near the window.Sachi kept fidgeting with the tissue paper.Yuvan watched her for a moment, sighed, and finally spoke.
"So… talk."
She looked up at him—his face calm, unreadable, but his eyes slightly tired.That guilt from last night stabbed her again.
"I… wanted to say sorry," she began softly."For that day. For shouting. I didn't hear you out, and I blamed you, and I—"
Yuvan stopped her gently."Sachi. You don't need to apologise like that."
"But I should," she insisted."I just react. And you were worried and I—"
"Sachi."His voice dropped lower, firmer."Of course I was worried."
Her breath hitched.
she blurted, "Why didn't you tell me you're MM's grandson?"
Yuvan froze for half a second, then shrugged."You never asked."
Sachi stared at him. "Oh wow. Thank you. Such a helpful answer."
"You're welcome," he said with a straight face.
She hit his arm lightly.Yuvan raised his eyebrow. "Violence? Again?"
"Yuvan!"
He finally laughed, shaking his head."You knowing I'm MM's grandson doesn't change anything, Sachi."
"Still… you could've told me."
"I was planning to," he said, sipping his coffee."When you weren't busy running away or yelling at me."
Just then, the waiter arrived with a warm choco lava cake.Sachi blinked in surprise.
As soon as the plate was set down, Sachi paused.Something about the design on the plate, the warm smell, the tiny chocolate drizzle…
It felt familiar.
Her eyes widened."Wait… this is… this café! I came here with Megha!"
"Oh?" Yuvan said innocently.
Sachi nodded, cutting into the cake eagerly.She didn't notice that Yuvan had gone quieter, watching her closely.
Because this was the same café—the exact one—where Yuvan had seen her again after seven years.
And now she was sitting here across from him, laughing with chocolate on her lips.
Sachi, completely unaware, was eating like a kid—eyes shining, cheeks puffed, humming in happiness.Yuvan couldn't help but tease her.
"Slow down, you'll choke."
She glared at him with a mouthful of cake. "Let me enjoy."
"You look five years old right now."
She swallowed and pointed her spoon at him. "Say that again and I'll hit you."
He leaned back, smirking. "Violence part three?"
She groaned but continued eating happily.
After finishing, she leaned back with the most content sigh."That was… perfect."
Yuvan shook his head, smiling softly."You're impossible when it comes to chocolate."
"Shut up," she said, though her smile didn't fade.
When they stepped outside, the night air was cool and quiet.Sachi felt strangely lighter—as if a weight had finally lifted from her chest.
Yuvan dropped her home, stopping in front of her building.
She climbed off the bike, holding her bag, but didn't walk away immediately.
"Thanks…," she said softly.
"Hmm," he replied, leaning slightly forward on the bike.
She smiled—genuine, warm—and waved before going inside.
Yuvan watched her until she disappeared into the building, then exhaled, a quiet smile tugging at his lips.
The next morning, the office hummed with its usual rhythm, but there was a subtle tension in the air. Sachi adjusted her blazer and glanced at her watch repeatedly, wondering if Yuvan had arrived yet. Today was the Crestline meeting — a crucial client pitch — and she had mentally prepared herself to be sharp, professional, and entirely focused… until Yuvan appeared beside her desk.
He leaned casually, a grin tugging at the corner of his lips, as if the world's most serious meeting could be interrupted by his presence alone. Sachi resisted the urge to roll her eyes.
"Ready to dazzle Crestline?" he teased quietly.
"I'm perfectly capable without your commentary," she shot back, though a small smirk betrayed her amusement.
Sachi was surprised as she settled into the car, glancing around. Today, they were going by car — not Yuvan's bike. The soft hum of the engine filled the otherwise quiet ride, and she found herself stealing curious glances at him.
At Crestline, the team went straight to business. Yuvan and Sachi led the presentation together, each complementing the other — her precision and insight balancing his charisma and quick-thinking. Their banter, subtle but noticeable, drew smiles even from the sternest clients. The meeting ended successfully, and as the group stepped out, laughter bubbled between them over some inside joke about the client's insistence on color-coded pie charts. Yuvan was serious not bothered by their jokes.
Just as they were walking along the road back to the car, Sushpassed by. Her eyes widened at the sight: Yuvan and Sachi, chuckling together, clearly enjoying each other's company. Her fingers tightened around her phone. Minutes later, a call went through, her voice low and sharp with urgency, and the mischief was set into motion.
Later that day, the office buzzed with whispers. Word had spread fast — rumors about Yuvan and Miha were everywhere. Sachitried to stay composed, pretending not to care, but her chest tightened in a way she didn't like.
Sachi's footsteps echoed softly on the office floor as she made her way toward Yuvan's cabin. The whispers had reached her ears, and the rumors about him and Miha refused to leave her mind. She needed to know the truth — straight from him.
Only to see Yuvan, seemed utterly unbothered. He leaned back in his chair, swirling his coffee with a careless grin, eyes flicking toward her.
"So," he said, "apparently I'm dating Miha now. Should I prepare a press release, or just let the gossip do its job?"
Sachi froze, cheeks warming. She shot him a glare, mischief in his eyes. "Relax, Sachi. Don't tell me you're jealous. That wouldn't suit you."
"I am not," she snapped, though the heat rising in her ears betrayed her.
"Sure," he said, voice mock-serious. "Keep telling yourself that. Meanwhile, I'll enjoy being the center of office gossip."
Sachi groaned, spinning away, but Yuvan wasn't done. He leaned back, smirk widening, watching her storm off like a little storm cloud he couldn't resist teasing.
Later, when the office had emptied, Yuvan picked up his phone. The line connected. "Miha," he said, tone sharp but controlled, "we need to talk."
A pause. Yuvan could hear the faint hesitation on the other end. "About what?" Miha replied, trying to keep her voice casual.
"About these rumors," he said evenly, each word precise. "The ones about us. Did you start them? Spread them? Or are you just enjoying watching people talk?"
Miha chuckled nervously. "I… I don't know what you're talking about."
Yuvan's jaw tightened. "Cut the act. You know exactly what I mean. I'm giving you one chance to clarify before I start wondering who else is helping this little show along."
There was silence, then a soft exhale. "Yes," Miha admitted.
He hung up, eyes lifting toward his cabin window where Sachi'ssilhouette was still visible, shoulders squared, arms crossed.
***
The boardroom carried the suffocating weight of tension long before Yuvan stepped inside. The long glass table gleamed under the harsh white lights, and on either side sat directors whose expressions ranged from tight annoyance to open hostility — all carefully cultivated by Sanjay.
Yuvan, however, sat like he owned the table. Back straight. Calm. Unbothered.. MM entered moments later, stern as always. Sushant followed, his usual calm shadowed by unease.
The moment the meeting began, the attack followed.
A director with a receding hairline pushed his spectacles up and sneered."Joining the company at this level? With your age? This is not a playground, Yuvan."
Another, a woman known for her sharp tongue, crossed her arms."We need someone experienced. Someone who understands the real pressure. Not just… lineage."
Sanjay sat quietly, pretending neutrality, though the smirk tugging at his lips betrayed him.
Yuvan drummed his fingers once on the table, slow, bored, and then stood.His eyes landed on the first man. "You're concerned about my capability?" he asked lightly.The man stiffened but nodded. "Obviously."
"Great," Yuvan said, flipping open the file in front of him with a lazy flick. "Then let's discuss your capability first."
The director blinked. "M–mine?"
His gaze slid to Sunil. Yuvan continued, voice smooth but sharp as a knife, "you've overseen procurement accounts and vendor payments for what—four years now?" He flipped a page.
"Yes, so?" he swallowed.
"Good," he said. "Then you should have no trouble explaining this."
He pressed the intercom."Varun, bring the consolidated Q2–Q4 audit files. All of them."
Within seconds, Varun entered with a stack of binders and placed them before Yuvan.
Yuvan opened the top file, his finger landing on a highlighted line.
"According to your reports," he said evenly, "we incurred a loss of ₹1.8 crore last year due to 'vendor outages and pricing fluctuations.'"
"Except," eyes lifting to him, "when I cross-checked the raw purchase invoices with Finance, the money didn't go to the vendors at all."
A murmur rippled through the room.
Yuvan shifted his gaze to the next director. "You've been opposing me since morning. But shouldn't you first explain why your 'cost-cutting strategies' increased overall expenses by twelve percent?"He raised a brow. "Or do you prefer I send this report to the finance team and let them question it?"
The woman swallowed hard, her voice dying before it formed.
One by one, the directors who had been the loudest grew silent, their faces tight with fear. The room felt smaller. Hotter.
Sanjay cleared his throat, stepping in before the silence became suffocating."Well, well… such confidence." He forced a laugh. "But let's not forget — Kindle Creative is already performing well."He gestured toward Sushant. "Thanks to him."
Yuvan's expression softened just slightly. "Of course. Sushantdid a great job stabilizing the department. I'm only building on what he created."
Sushant lowered his gaze, but a small smile formed — appreciation mixed with concern.
Sanjay leaned back, eyes gleaming with a challenge."If you're truly as capable as you sound, Yuvan… why don't you take on something bigger?"
He folded his hands."Handle the Magnus mall at Panvel location as well. It's a mess — they've been underperforming for years. Let's see what you can do there."
The room perked up, waiting, hungry to watch him fall.
Yuvan held Sanjay's stare. His jaw tightened just slightly, but his voice remained calm, steady, edged with pride.
"Fine," he said. "I'll take it."
A flicker of annoyance crossed Sanjay's eyes — he wasn'texpecting Yuvan to accept the challenge so easily.
MM exhaled sharply, displeased, but he didn't intervene.
And just like that, the meeting ended — with three directors terrified, Sushant thoughtful, MM silent, Sanjay plotting…
And Yuvan walking out of the boardroom without looking back, owning the space he wasn't supposed to belong to.
The room went suspiciously quiet. People avoided his gaze, tapping keyboards unnecessarily louder, pretending to be busier than they were. It was a department on the verge of collapse — underfunded, demotivated, and drowning under Sanjay's intentional neglect.
The first thing Yuvan smelled when he stepped into Magnus Mall, Panvel, was dust. Not the harmless kind — the neglected, stubborn kind that clung to walls and memories alike. The place felt tired. The escalator groaned as if protesting its own existence, half the lights flickered, and only a handful of customers drifted through the ground floor like they had wandered in by mistake.
Yuvan pressed his tongue against his cheek."Wow," he muttered. "Welcome to my glamorous new kingdom."
Varun walked beside him, sympathetic. "Sir… this mall hasn't been maintained for years. Footfall dropped. Stores shut down. Maintenance staff… doesn't do much."
Yuvan's eyes swept across the empty atrium, the peeling paint, the out-of-order signage, the dull, outdated play area where even the cartoon characters printed on the walls looked depressed.
"This place looks like it's begging to retire," Yuvan whispered.
He reached his cabin — a dull room with faded blinds — where Bhavin, a mall manager in his sixties, already waited. The man stood respectfully, nerves visible in every line of his face.
"Sir," Bhavin began softly, "these are the reports… past three years."He placed a thick stack of files on the table — expenses, sales, complaints, unpaid vendor bills — a mountain of failing numbers.
Yuvan flipped the first file open.Then the next.By the fourth, a vein throbbed at his temple.
"Sir," Varun whispered, "should I get you water?"
"No," Yuvan said, voice deceptively calm. "Get me a bulldozer."
It was only noon on his first day, and he was already contemplating whether setting the whole place on fire and starting over would be faster.
The rest of the week was no different.Every morning began with a new disaster — a leaking roof, a sudden power cut, a tenant threatening to leave, a mall employee sleeping during duty hours. Yuvan's patience, surprisingly, held steady. But his phone? That didn't survive; he barely checked it.
When he finally returned to Magnus Tower, he found her waiting near the café. The moment he saw her, his shoulders dropped a fraction — like someone had turned off the world's noise for a second.
"You disappeared for a week," Sachi said, crossing her arms. "Are you alive? Blink twice."
Yuvan dropped into the seat opposite her, face buried in his hands. "Barely. Sachi, that mall is… it's a haunted museum."
She hid a smile. "Tell me."
And he did.
He told her about, the empty shops, the employees who walked like zombies, the maintenance staff who thought 'cleaning' meant wiping the same tile all day, the playing area that looked like it survived the 90s, and the one security guard who asked Yuvan himself for directions.
By the time he finished, Sachi was laughing so hard she couldn'tbreathe.
He leaned forward. "Careful. My ego is fragile."
"Your ego is the strongest structure in Magnus Group," she retorted.
A reluctant, lazy smile spread across his face — the kind that made her heart stutter.
Finally he sighed. "I have data to sort, employees to evaluate, and a mall on life support. I'm going there again tomorrow."
Sachi hesitated for only a moment before saying, "What if… I help you?" "I work in branding and marketing. I can give insights, see things you miss and you know how perfect I am.
"Fine," he said. "Tomorrow. Ten a.m. And if you get scared," he added, "don't blame me."
"Deal," she grinned.
Saturday morning, Sachi stepped out of the car and stared at the Magnus Panvel Mall and went inside with a sinking feeling. Even on a weekend, the parking lot looked deserted. A handful of people walked in lazily, most stores were either half-shuttered or empty inside, and the staff at the entrance looked bored—almost irritated that customers had come at all.
She exhaled.
A few seconds later, Yuvan joined her, adjusting his hoodies sleeves as he scanned the mall with the sharp eyes of someone already calculating the damage.
"Welcome to Magnus Panvel," he said dryly. "The mall that apparently forgot it's supposed to function."
Sachi snorted. "Beautiful. Should we start with crying or working?"
They reached the kids' play area, outdated, and half-broken. Plastic slides faded from bright yellow to a sad pale beige. A tiny merry-go-round squeaked helplessly as the only kid present tried to spin it.
Yuvan stopped.
His expression shifted—softened—for the first time that day.
"This used to be my favorite corner," he murmured. "Dad used to bring me here every Sunday. I was… impossible to handle. I'd cry until he let me play one more round."
He chuckled once, then abruptly went quiet. The warmth in his eyes faded behind a wall he always carried.
Sachi gently nudged him."Then let other kids make stubborn memories here too. But for that, we need to fix this entire mess."
He looked at her, the corner of his lips lifting."I didn't bring you here to get bullied, you know."
"Too late," she said sweetly. "No return policy."
A mountain of files covered the table—sales reports, maintenance bills, yearly fund allocations. Sachi picked up one thick folder, scanning the data and then other.
"Yuvan… look at this." She flipped the page toward him. "The last recorded fund release was five years ago."
Yuvan frowned. "That can't be right. Accounting reports show funds being allocated every year."
"Allocated on paper," she corrected calmly, "but not received here."
He leaned back, the dots connecting too quickly for comfort.
Someone was diverting funds. And doing it confidently.
He immediately called Bhavin—the elderly mall manager.
When Bhavin entered, nervousness was written all over his face.
Yuvan didn't waste time."These funds," he said, tapping the files, "why didn't the mall get them?"
Bhavin sighed heavily. "Sir… all decisions for this mall are taken by Sanjay Sir. I just follow his instructions. I don't question."
Yuvan's jaw clenched..
Exhausted, Yuvan and Sachi walked to the quiet lake nearby. The sunset painted the water gold, and the cool breeze was finally a break from the day's chaos.
They stood leaning on the railing, holding cups of steaming coffee.
"Thanks," Yuvan said quietly. "For today. For helping me."
"You're welcome," she smiled. "And you handled it well, Mr. CEO-in-training."
He raised a brow. "Is that a compliment?"
"Use your imagination."
They both laughed.
Just then Sachi's phone rang.Urvi.
The moment she picked up, her face drained of color.
"Sachi! Maa is in the hospital! Come quick—"
The call ended abruptly.
Sachi froze.
Her breath hitched, the color draining from her face. Her fingers trembled around the phone as if it suddenly weighed a ton.
Yuvan immediately noticed."Sachi?" His voice was sharp, steady. "What happened?"
She swallowed hard, eyes already glistening."M–Mom… she's in the hospital," she whispered, barely getting the words out.
That was all he needed.
Yuvan didn't wait for another second."Let's go," he said, already grabbing the car keys and guiding her toward the parking lot, one hand on her back to steady her as she stumbled forward in panic.
Urvi was crying outside the emergency room. Sachi ran towards her and pulled her into a tight hug.
"Hey… nothing will happen to Mom. Okay? I'm here now."
A doctor stepped out a few minutes later and explained that her mother had collapsed from severe stress, elevated blood pressure, and dehydration—nothing fatal, but serious.
When her mother regained consciousness, Sachi step out into the dim hospital corridor.
Urvi stayed by her side until she fell asleep. Yuvan stood there, leaning against the wall, hands in his pockets—but the moment he saw her, his posture straightened. Concern softened his usually sharp eyes.
Without saying a word, he walked up and handed her a cup of coffee.
They went outside and sat on a bench under a flickering streetlight.
"You okay?" he asked softly.
Sachi shook her head.
He didn't push. Just waited.
And slowly, everything she had locked inside began to spill out.
"My parents divorced because of… me," she whispered. "I made a mistake when I was younger. And it broke everything. I carried the guilt for years. I stopped visiting Mom because I felt I didn't deserve forgiveness."
Her voice cracked. Tears finally slid down.
"I stayed away thinking I was helping… but all I did was run."
Yuvan didn't try to wipe her tears or give fake comforting lines.
He just said quietly,"Sachi… you can't destroy a marriage. Adults make their own decisions. And running away isn't something a selfish person does—it's something a hurting person does."
She looked at him through teary eyes.
He added with a crooked half-smile,"And besides… if anyone deserves blame for chaos, it's me. I'm the official trouble magnet."
That made her laugh through tears, a small broken sound—but a real one.
Yuvan gently nudged her shoulder."Don't overthink, okay?"
She nodded, letting the warmth of his presence finally dissolve years of guilt.
Morning sunlight filtered softly through the hospital curtains.
Sachi had fallen asleep with her head resting on the edge of the bed, her hand loosely holding her mother's.
When her mother slowly opened her eyes, the first thing she saw was Sachi—curled up beside her like a little girl again.
A weak, loving smile touched her mother's lips.
She gently lifted her hand and ran her fingers through Sachi'shair.
The familiar touch made Sachi stir. Her eyes fluttered open, confused for a second, then widened.
"M–Mom… you're awake," she breathed, relief flooding her face.
Her mother's eyes softened as she cupped Sachi's cheek.
"Sachi… I'm so sorry," she whispered. "I never wanted to break this family. I never imagined I would end up living away from you…."
Sachi shook her head, tears already gathering.
"Mom… no. It wasn't your fault."
Her mother tried to sit up.
Sachi interrupted, voice breaking.
"It wasn't Dad's fault or yours."She swallowed hard."It was me."
Her mother froze.
Sachi's shoulders trembled as she forced the words out.
"That school trip…. I thought the main door was locked… but it didn't. The house wasn't locked properly. The robbery happened because of that."Her voice cracked."Mom, it was me not dad's carelessness. How could I face you after that? A tear rolled off her chin.
Her mother's eyes widened—not with anger, but with years' worth of pain dissolving.
"Oh, Sachi…" she whispered.
She pulled her daughter gently into her arms.
"You were a child. A child. What happened was never your burden to carry."
Sachi broke down, burying her face in her mother's shoulder as everything she had held in for years finally spilled out.
A little while later, Sachi came out. Her eyes were red, nose pink, hair messy from sleeping and crying. She tried wiping her face quickly when she saw Yuvan—
But the moment her eyes met his, all the strength she had forced on herself vanished.
He didn't say anything dramatic. He just looked at her—really looked—calm, steady, anchoring.
Yuvan pushed off the wall and walked toward her.He held out a coffee cup.
"Take it," he said softly. "You look like you'll collapse without caffeine."
Sachi gave a broken, watery laugh and took the cup with shaking hands.
They walked to a bench outside the hospital. Yuvan sat beside her, elbows on his knees, watching the road ahead while she stared at the coffee cup.
After a moment, he spoke—not in a deep emotional tone, but in his dry, sarcastically comforting way:
"So… let me get this straight. You were, what… twelve? Thirteen? And you think a whole robbery happened because of you?"
Sachi sniffed. "I was twelve."
"A twelve-year-old," he repeated. "Clearly a criminal mastermind."
She glared at him. "Yuvan, don't joke—"
"I'm not joking," he said seriously but with soft humor. "I'm being sarcastic. There's a difference."
She tried not to smile. Failed.
Yuvan clicked his tongue."You didn't break your family, Sachi. Adults did. Their decisions did. Not you."
Sachi's breath hitched.
He nudged her shoulder lightly.
"And if anyone—and I mean anyone—tries to blame you again, give me their name. I'll go lecture them myself."
She laughed.
Yuvan watched her for a long second, softer than he meant to.
Then he said quietly:
"You don't have to carry everything alone. Not anymore."
And Sachi…for the first time in years…felt that maybe she didn't have to.
The next week turned Magnus Panvel Mall into a construction zone of organized chaos. Yuvan stood at the center of it—clipboard in hand, sleeves rolled up, voice sharp and commanding as he addressed the managers and HODs seated around the long conference table in the temporary meeting room.
"As of today," he said, eyes sweeping across the room, "every department will function with one goal—revival. If you're not ready to work, you can leave now."
No one moved.
Simultaneously outside, the sound of drills echoed through the halls. Workers painted the walls with fresh colors, electricians replaced flickering lights, maintenance teams scrubbed every neglected corner. Employees who had grown careless were now on their toes—Yuvan's arrival had jolted the whole mall awake.
Sachi became the bridge he didn't know he needed.She was meeting with every store managers like a whirlwind, calm yet firm, convincing outlet managers to renew the contract.
"We are rebuilding," she told them with a confidence that made people believe. "Stay with us. Grow with us."
Surprisingly, most agreed.
When the kids' play zone renovation planning began, Sachi and Yuvan sat in his cabin, surrounded by sketches, color samples, and old photographs of the mall. Yuvan found one picture of himself as a stubborn little boy, tugging MM's hand and pointing toward the jungle gym.
"That slide was the world's greatest invention to me," he murmured, staring at it longer than necessary.
Sachi smiled softly. "Then let's make something that gives today's kids the same memories. Something that makes them drag their parents inside."
Together, they built ideas into life.A glowing tunnel called Memory Lane filled with framed handprints and photos from local school kids.A Mini Magnus Town—tiny pretend shops where children could play shopkeeper, doctor, baker.A modern indoor zip-line.A giant soft-foam castle where every kid could feel like royalty.
When the designers presented the final 3D model, the manager whispered to Yuvan, "Sir… this feels emotional."
He didn't say it aloud, but Sachi saw the rare smile tug at his lips.
As the mall neared completion, branding took over. Sachipitched the idea to Yuvan while flipping through her notes.
"How about adding a kids' custom clothing store? Urvi can handle the designs—she's amazing. We can do themed outfits, birthday specials, family twinning… it'll add charm."
Yuvan nodded. "Approved. Tell her to send me samples."
Neha joined in next, her eyes sparkling with mischief."For the opening day, can we invite Echo3. Teenagers will flock to the mall. Instant buzz."
Ricky and Megha helped with marketing, Urvi and her vlogger friends were making vlogs.
A month passed in a blur of planning, chaos, late-night coffee, arguments, laughter, and endless work.
Finally—opening day arrived.
The grand atrium looked unrecognizable. Bright, lively, polished. Camera crews adjusted their equipment, balloons shimmered, families waited eagerly. Echo3 did their last-minute soundcheck, sending the crowd into excited whispers.
Yuvan adjusted his blazer, straightened his watch, and stepped forward.
MM arrived first, walking with his usual dignified calm.Sanjay and Sushant followed.
Sanjay froze for a full second.
This wasn't the dead, dusty mall he expected.This was… alive.
Sushant smiled, pride written all over his face.
But MM—MM looked at Yuvan with a softness he rarely showed.
He placed a hand on his grandson's shoulder.
"Your father," he said quietly, "would have been proud today. This was his dream project. And you… you've taken it to another level."
For the first time, Yuvan didn't hide the emotion in his eyes.
Beside him, Sachi watched.Her chest warmed—but with affection deeper than she had ever admitted.
After the grand reopening, Magnus Mall finally breathed again. The corridors bustled with customers, the stores glowed with fresh designs, and the news channels kept repeating the same headline—"Panvel Magnus Mall Reborn." The success felt unreal, but everyone who had worked day and night for it knew it was well-deserved.