The events of the previous day lingered in Vishesh’s mind far longer than he cared to admit.
Yet, as always, work came first.
At precisely nine o’clock, the revised review meeting for the Grand Meridian Hotel Project began.
This time, every document was in place.
Every revised estimate had been incorporated.
Nayshita stood before the conference room with the same confidence she had displayed before, only now her presentation was even more refined.
She explained the revised budget allocation with clarity, highlighting how material substitutions and minor layout adjustments had reduced costs without compromising the guest experience.
Questions followed.
She answered each one calmly.
Even the finance team had little to add.
When the presentation concluded, the room echoed with quiet approval.
“Excellent revisions,” one of the senior managers remarked.
Aditya smiled proudly.
Vishesh simply closed the project file.
“The revisions are approved.”
It was all he said.
But everyone in the room understood the significance of those four words.
The meeting dispersed soon after.
Employees returned to their departments, discussing deadlines and vendor schedules as the project moved into its next phase.
As Vishesh walked towards his cabin with Aditya beside him, they passed the planning department.
Their conversation slowed when two architects standing near the drawing boards caught Vishesh’s attention.
“…I still feel bad,” one of them said.
“The revised budget sheet never reached Ms.
Nayshita.”
His companion sighed.
“Arvind Sir said he would forward the final version after making a few corrections.”
“I don’t think he realized yesterday’s review was based on that document.”
“It wasn’t her fault then.”
The words struck Vishesh like an unexpected weight.
He slowed his pace.
Without saying anything, he continued walking.
A few moments later, Aditya glanced at him.
“You know…”
Vishesh looked at him.
“I spoke to security this morning.”
“About what?”
“Yesterday.”
Aditya adjusted the file in his hand.
“The executive lift was under maintenance for a while because of a technical issue.
Since she didn’t have access to the executive floor yet, security directed her to the common staircase.”
He paused.
“By the time she reached the conference room…
she was already late.”
Silence.
“So…”
Aditya continued quietly,
“She wasn’t careless.”
Vishesh didn’t reply.
His mind replayed the previous morning.
“Sir…
actually—”
“There is no point explaining it now.”
He had never given her the chance to speak.
For the first time in years…
He questioned not his standards—
But his judgment.
Meanwhile…
Inside her glass cabin, Nayshita placed the approved drawings neatly into their folders.
A satisfied smile finally appeared on her face.
The previous day’s disappointment had been replaced by quiet relief.
A soft knock interrupted her thoughts.
Before she could say anything—
Aditya walked in with his trademark grin.
“There she is!”
She laughed.
“Good morning.”
“Forget good morning.”
Before she could react, he gave her a quick, friendly side hug.
“You absolutely nailed it today, partner!”
Nayshita looked at him in surprise before laughing softly.
“Thank you.”
“I knew yesterday wasn’t the real you.”
“It wasn’t exactly my best day.”
“It definitely wasn’t.”
Both of them laughed.
At that very moment—
Knock.
The cabin door opened once again.
Vishesh stepped inside.
For the briefest second…
His eyes fell upon Aditya, whose arm was still resting lightly on Nayshita’s shoulder as they laughed.
Something stirred within him.
A strange feeling.
Unfamiliar.
Difficult to name.
It disappeared almost as quickly as it had come.
His expression returned to its usual calm composure.
“I hope I’m not interrupting.”
Aditya immediately stepped aside.
“Not at all.”
Nayshita straightened instinctively.
“Good morning, Sir.”
“I wanted to discuss a few observations from today’s review.”
He placed a file on her desk.
“The banquet entrance alignment may need another look.”
She nodded.
“I noticed that as well.
I was planning to revise it before forwarding the final drawings.”
“Good.”
For the next few minutes, the three of them discussed circulation flow, service access, and vendor coordination.
It felt like every other professional discussion.
Yet beneath the conversation…
Yesterday remained unspoken.
Finally, Vishesh closed the file.
“There is one more thing.”
Both Aditya and Nayshita looked at him.
“You should have informed someone that you hadn’t received the revised budget documents.”
Nayshita looked genuinely apologetic.
“I should have, Sir.”
She smiled sheepishly.
“But honestly…”
“I realized it only after the meeting.”
“And…”
She hesitated before adding,
“I forgot to save anyone’s contact number on my first day.”
“So I didn’t know whom to call.”
Before Vishesh could respond—
Aditya snapped his fingers.
“Problem solved.”
He extended his hand.
“Phone.” This chapter was copied from g.com without permission.
She looked at him, amused, and handed it over.
Within seconds he had unlocked the contacts.
“First…”
He entered his own number.
“There.”
Then he looked at Vishesh.
“And now yours.”
Vishesh silently recited his number.
Aditya typed it in.
After saving it, he handed the phone back to Nayshita.
She smiled warmly.
“Thank you.”
“No excuses next time,” Aditya teased.
“There won’t be.”
Vishesh picked up his file and walked towards the door.
His hand rested on the handle.
Then he paused.
Without turning completely, he said,
“From tomorrow…”
Nayshita looked up.
“…use the executive lift.”
She blinked.
“Sir?”
“It opens directly onto this floor.”
His tone remained calm.
“It’ll save time.”
A brief pause.
“And avoid unnecessary delays.”
For a moment…
Neither Aditya nor Nayshita spoke.
She simply nodded.
“Yes, Sir.”
Without another word, Vishesh walked out of the cabin.
The door closed quietly behind him.
Silence lingered for a few seconds.
Then Aditya slowly turned towards the closed door.
A knowing smile spread across his face.
“Hmm…”
Nayshita looked at him curiously.
“What?”
Aditya folded his arms, trying unsuccessfully to hide his grin.
“Nothing.”
He shook his head lightly.
“Just…”
He glanced once more towards the corridor.
“…I’ve known Vishesh for years.”
“And?”
Aditya chuckled.
“I’ve never seen him recommend a lift to anyone.”
Nayshita couldn’t help but smile.
“You read too much into things.”
“Maybe.”
He laughed.
“Or maybe…
some people speak more through their actions than their words.”
Outside the glass cabin, Vishesh continued walking towards his office.
His face revealed nothing.
But for the first time…
Correcting a mistake had brought him a quiet sense of peace.
Not because he had spoken more.
But because, in his own way…
He had finally begun to listen.