A Battle in Bloom

Ekhansh Vardhan's Office

“Black roses,” Ekansh said, his voice smooth, deliberate.

Kabir, standing across his desk, frowned slightly. “Sir?”

Ekansh leaned back in his chair, tapping a pen against the wooden surface. The city skyline stretched beyond the glass walls behind him, but his attention was solely on the game unfolding before him.

“Ek bouquet of black roses prepare karwado,” (Get a bouquet of black roses prepared,) he instructed. “The finest ones. And make sure they’re delivered to Siara Rajawat’s office today.”

Kabir’s brows lifted in mild surprise. “Aur koi message?” (And any message?)

Ekansh smirked, dictating each word with precise calculation.

"Congratulations, Miss Rajawat. You’ve successfully rewritten the narrative in your favor. But let’s see how long you can keep it that way."

Kabir exhaled sharply. “Toh basically, ek challenge bhej rahe hain?” (So basically, you’re sending her a challenge?)

Ekansh’s smirk deepened. “Siara Rajawat ab tak samjha nahi hai ki Vardhans ke against chalna sirf ek decision nahi, ek responsibility hoti hai. Let’s see if she’s ready for it.” (Siara Rajawat still hasn’t realized that going against the Vardhans isn’t just a decision, it’s a responsibility. Let’s see if she’s ready for it.)

Kabir hesitated before speaking. “Ekansh, ek baat puchun?” (Ekansh, can I ask you something?)

Ekansh raised an eyebrow. “Hmm?”

“Tum aise congratulate kar rahe ho jaise tumne competition diya ho. Lekin sach batao—yeh sirf ek power move hai ya tumhe maza bhi aa raha hai?” (You’re congratulating her as if you were the one competing. But tell me honestly—is this just a power move, or are you actually enjoying this?)

Ekansh chuckled, his gaze drifting to the city lights. “Siara Rajawat interesting hai. Kam log hote hain jo ek hi move mein puri duniya ka perception shift kar sakein.” (Siara Rajawat is interesting. Very few people can shift the world’s perception in a single move.) He tapped the pen once more. “Lekin maza tab aayega jab yeh samjhegi ki uska game mere game ke andar ek aur game hai.” (But the real fun will begin when she realizes that her game is just another piece inside my game.)

Kabir shook his head, knowing better than to press further. Just then, Ekansh’s phone buzzed. He picked it up and read the latest update from his strategy team:

"Vardhan Enterprises signs exclusive deals with leading tech giants, further fortifying its dominance in the sector."

He smirked, placing the phone down.

Checkmate before the game even begins, Siara.

Siara Rajawat’s Office

Siara didn’t blink as Ayesha placed the black box on her desk.

“Yeh abhi deliver hua hai,” (This just got delivered,) Ayesha informed her, her expression unreadable.

Siara tilted her head slightly before lifting the lid. A bouquet of deep black roses lay inside, elegant yet almost sinister in their beauty. Tucked between them was a crisp white card.

She plucked it out and read the familiar, sharp handwriting:

"Congratulations, Miss Rajawat. You’ve successfully rewritten the narrative in your favor. But let’s see how long you can keep it that way.

—Ekansh Vardhan"

A slow, knowing smile spread across her lips.

“Ekansh Vardhan,” she murmured, running a finger along the petals. “Tumhe bhi challenge karne ki aadat hai, na?” (You have a habit of issuing challenges too, don’t you?)

Ayesha frowned. “Ma’am, mujhe yeh sirf ek congratulations nahi lag raha.” (Ma’am, this doesn’t seem like just a congratulations to me.)

Siara chuckled. “Nahi hai. Yeh ek declaration hai.” (It’s not. It’s a declaration.) She set the card down. “Vardhan Empire ke king ne announce kiya hai ki ab asli khel shuru ho raha hai.” (The king of the Vardhan Empire has announced that the real game is beginning now.)

Before Ayesha could respond, Siara’s phone buzzed with an update. She picked it up, her smirk fading slightly as she read:

"Vardhan Enterprises secures exclusive deals with leading tech companies, further tightening its hold over the industry."

Her fingers tightened around the device.

“So, you’re already making moves…” she muttered under her breath.

She leaned back in her chair, her mind racing. She had anticipated Ekansh’s retaliation, but she hadn’t expected him to act this fast. By securing partnerships with almost every major tech player, he had effectively limited her options before she even made her first move.

But she wasn’t about to back down.

“Ayesha.”

“Ma’am?”

“Tech sector ki jo file thi, woh le aao.” (Bring me the tech sector file.)

Ayesha quickly retrieved it, placing it on the desk. Siara flipped through the pages, scanning the list of companies Rajawat Industries had been considering for collaborations.

“Har ek wo company hata do jo Vardhan Enterprises ke saath tie-up kar chuki hai. Aur sirf un companies pe focus karo jo abhi tak free hain. Mujhe emerging startups ka bhi ek list chahiye—jo naye hain, lekin potential rakhte hain.” (Remove every company that has already tied up with Vardhan Enterprises. Focus only on the ones still available. I also want a list of emerging startups—new players with potential.)

Ayesha immediately started taking notes. “Main abhi data refine karwa deti hoon.” (I’ll get the data refined right away.)

Siara’s eyes darkened. “Mujhe updated report jaldi chahiye. Agar Ekansh Vardhan ne apne resources istemal karna shuru kiye hain, toh hume bhi aggressive hona padega.” (I need an updated report soon. If Ekansh Vardhan has started using his resources, we need to be just as aggressive.)

Ayesha hesitated. “Ma’am, par agar hum sirf startups pe focus karenge toh media aur investors…” (Ma’am, but if we focus only on startups, the media and investors…)

Siara’s smirk returned. “Exactly.”

Ayesha looked confused. “Matlab?” (Meaning?)

Siara leaned forward, her tone sharper now. “For the world, hum ab bhi tech giants ke peeche bhaag rahe honge. Meetings hongi, deals discuss ki jayengi, media tak yeh news pahunchi rahegi ki Rajawat Industries top-tier partnerships secure karne ke liye ladai lad rahi hai.” (For the world, it will look like we’re still chasing tech giants. Meetings will happen, deals will be discussed, and the media will report that Rajawat Industries is fighting for top-tier partnerships.)

Ayesha’s eyes widened. “Lekin asli focus…” (But the real focus…)

Siara nodded. “Startups pe hoga. Silent deals, strategic funding, aur exclusive contracts. Hum naye players ko market me push karenge, aur jab tak Vardhan Enterprises samjhega, humne apni hi ek tech empire khadi kar li hogi.” (It will be on startups. Silent deals, strategic funding, and exclusive contracts. We will push new players in the market, and by the time Vardhan Enterprises understands our game, we will have built our own tech empire.)

Ayesha exhaled. “Yeh risky hai…” (This is risky…)

Siara’s expression didn’t change. “Jo bhi Vardhans ke against khada hota hai, uske liye risk lena compulsory hota hai.” (Whoever stands against the Vardhans, for them, taking risks is compulsory.)

Ayesha nodded. “Main kaam shuru karti hoon.” (I’ll get started.)

As Ayesha left, Siara picked up the black rose from the bouquet and twirled it between her fingers.

“Let’s see who outmaneuvers whom, Mr. Ekansh Vardhan.”