Chapter 9: Reputation
An older man pushed through the crowd and slapped Gaurav across the face.
Gaurav (shocked):"Father? Why did you hit me?"
Siyaman (firmly):"I told you not to pick unnecessary fights. Do you even realize who you just raised your hand against? That man is Skand Gupta."
Gaurav (stunned):"Is this, please tell me this isn't true. Is he really the great perfumer everyone is talking about?""
Siyaman (serious):"Yes, he is. You should go and apologize to him — right now."
Gaurav (turning to Skand,Scaredly):"Mr. Skand, please forgive me. I let my emotions get the better of me and raised my hand on you. I deeply regret it."
Skand (calmly):"It's alright. I know you're not a bad person. Let's forget about it."
Gaurav (gratefully):"Thank you so much. And please — let's not let this affect the perfume deal we discussed earlier."
Skand nodded politely, then turned and quietly walked away, leaving the crowd and the tension behind.
[Meanwhile, Malvi stood in shock]
Malvi (in disbelief):"Skand... he is the one? The perfume maker everyone in town is talking about?"
Malvi (thinking, filled with regret):"I need that formula. Somehow, I have to get it from Skand."
Skand (thinking):"Gaurav seems like a decent guy. I just don't understand what he sees in someone like Malvi... a gold digger who runs at the first sign of trouble."
Skand entered the house and found his uncle still uncertain.
[Back at Skand's House]
Both Uncle and Skand ,making the new product.
Uncle (curiously):"Are you sure this new product will actually work? I still have my doubts."
Skand (while mixing ingredients):"All I need from you is trust, Uncle. Just wait and watch."
Skand continued mixing sandalwood powder, rose petals, multani mitti, vetiver root powder, and a dash of dried mint in the kitchen.
The two of them began preparing the Natural Cooling Powder, step by step — a new journey had officially begun.
To be continued...