Chapter Four.

As she left his office, the weight of the news sank in.

Siddhartha Madhav? A vague sense of relief mingled with lingering unease. She barely had a moment to process when Jiya appeared by her side.

"What did he say?" Jiya asked eagerly, her face a mixture of concern and hope.

Meera sighed, glancing down at the paper. "There's good news and bad news. The bad news is... the assignment is final. There's no way to switch. The good news is that... I won't be meeting with Arjun Madhav. I'm meeting his brother instead."

"His brother?" Jiya's eyes widened. "That's... actually good! Siddhartha Madhav is known to be the more approachable one. According to my research, he's the CEO at A.M Empire but doesn't seem to have any... mafia connections."

Meera gave her a skeptical look. "And how do we know that for sure?"

Jiya shrugged. "Well, everything I found online says he's friendly and professional. It's the family name that carries a reputation, not him. I think you'll do fine."

"Jiya, I don't know if I can trust everything I read on the internet." Meera replied, a hint of doubt clouding her face.

"So, should we also doubt the fact that Arjun Madhav is the mafia king?" Jiya teased, crossing her arms with a raised brow.

"That's... not the point." Meera sighed, running a hand through her hair.

Jiya nudged her playfully, her smile warm and reassuring.

"Look, you might be nervous, and that's fine. But take this as a chance to learn. Just keep your distance from anything that feels off, and focus on your project. You're going to be fine, Meera."

Taking a deep breath, Meera nodded. "You're right. I'll just do my best and pray things go smoothly."

"Good." Jiya grinned, pulling Meera into a quick hug before linking her arm through Meera's and leading her toward the exit.

As they walked out of the building together, Jiya laughed softly. "And if things get too intense, just remember... you have a friend who's also a leader, and I've got your back."

Meera chuckled, finally feeling a sense of calm settle over her. "Let's hope I won't need rescuing."

Jiya raised her free hand as if to bless her friend. "So help you, God."

"Amen to that." Meera laughed, feeling the first true flicker of optimism about the project as they stepped into the bustling campus grounds together.

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Meera lay on her bed, her chest rising and falling with a heavy sigh that seemed to carry the weight of her swirling thoughts. Her dark hair spilled across the pillow as she turned her head to gaze at her younger sister, Veda, who lay beside her in their shared room. Veda’s petite frame was curled slightly, one arm tucked under her head, her calm expression a stark contrast to Meera’s restless energy. The sisters had always been close, their bond a quiet anchor in the storms of their lives, and tonight, Veda’s steady presence was a balm to Meera’s frayed nerves.

The room was bathed in a soft, dim glow, the only light spilling in through the open window, where silver moonlight streamed across the bed, painting delicate patterns on the worn quilt. The air was cool, carrying the faint scent of jasmine from the garden below, and the distant hum of the city seemed to fade into the quiet of the night. The moonlight cast long shadows on the walls, giving the room an almost ethereal quality, as if it existed in a space between reality and dreams.

"Siddhartha is actually a cool person." Veda said with a casual shrug, sensing her sister's anxiety.

Meera let out a small huff of frustration, her eyes narrowing.

"Why is everyone saying that?" she questioned, her tone edged with irritation.

"Does it not bother anyone that the Madhav family... the whole family... is steeped in the world of the mafia? How is he any different from the rest of them?"

Veda sighed softly, rolling onto her side to face Meera fully.

"Because it's a bloodline thing, di. Siddhartha isn't the head of the family, and he doesn't seem involved in... well, whatever it is the rest of them do. He's just the CEO of the company; he's not Arjun." she explained gently, trying to ease Meera's worries.

"You need to get some rest. You're going to A.M Empire tomorrow, remember? You're going to need all the energy you can get."

Meera turned her gaze to the ceiling, her thoughts churning. "I know... I know." she murmured. "I just don't understand how I got placed in that company."

"Look, di, you're one of the smartest people I know. You're strong, intelligent, and brave." Veda replied, moving closer to give her a comforting hug. "You'll do just fine, I believe that."

A faint smile tugged at the corner of Meera’s lips, a flicker of light in the storm of her emotions. She wrapped an arm around her little sister, pulling her close, and let her other hand rest gently on Veda’s head, patting it softly.

Veda’s confidence in her was heartwarming, a steady reassurance that helped ease the tension that had been building in Meera’s chest all evening.

For a moment, the weight of her fears seemed to lift, replaced by the quiet strength of their bond.

Meera’s eyes drifted to the open window, where the cool night air drifted in, carrying the gentle rustle of leaves from the old banyan tree outside. The silver glow of the moon hung high in the night sky, its light a soft, constant presence that seemed to watch over them. Her gaze lingered on that glow, her heart caught between comfort and apprehension.

The moon had always been a symbol of hope for her, a reminder that even in the darkest nights, there was light to be found. But tonight, it also felt like a silent witness to the uncertainty that lay ahead.

“Lord, be with me,” she whispered in her thoughts, her heart echoing a silent prayer. “Only You know what tomorrow holds.”

Staring at the moon, Meera allowed herself a moment of calm, letting its quiet presence wash over her like a gentle tide.

The worries that had gripped her began to loosen their hold, if only slightly. After a few minutes, her eyelids grew heavy, the rhythmic sound of Veda’s breathing beside her lulling her toward sleep.

Her mind drifted, the sharp edges of her fears softening as the weight of her worries faded, if only for the night.

As sleep slowly overtook her, Meera found herself wondering what tomorrow would bring. A.M Empire loomed large in her mind, a towering entity filled with both promise and peril. The thought of stepping into its sleek offices, of navigating its world of power and secrets, sent a shiver through her.

And yet, with Veda’s reassurance still fresh in her memory, she couldn’t help but feel a small spark of courage. Perhaps she was stronger than she realized. Perhaps she could face whatever challenges awaited her and emerge unscathed.