Rajveer knocked on the cabin door and said, "May I come in, sir…?"
"Yes, please…" came the voice from inside.
When Rajveer and Mr. Vijay entered, Rajveer squinted in surprise. Sitting in front of him was Vairagya.
"You…?" Rajveer said in surprise.
"Yes, me… Actually, our introduction in the washroom was incomplete, so let me finish it now. My name is Vairagya… Vairagya Rajvansh… the CEO of Rajvansh Industries," Vairagya said with a slight smile.
"Son, do you know him…?" Mr. Vijay asked in surprise.
"He's the same guy… from the washroom," Rajveer replied.
"Please, have a seat," Vairagya gestured for them to sit.
After both sat down, the assistant served them water. Smiling, Vairagya asked, "So tell me, what deal have you come with?"
Rajveer took a deep breath and spoke confidently, "Mr. Rajvansh, your hotel – Rajvansh Hotel, Udaipur – is the best in terms of location, view, service… everything. Yet, 50% of your rooms remain empty every month, due to many reasons…"
"First reason: the behavior of the hotel management."
"Second, the limited variety of food you offer, which leaves many guests dissatisfied."
"Third and most important, the pricing of your rooms…"
Vairagya smiled and said, "So you think 10k per night is too much…?"
"No… it's too little," Rajveer replied. The assistant stared at him, stunned.
"You keep the price low to increase sales, but that makes customers doubt your service. In my opinion, the price should be at least 25k per night," Rajveer said firmly.
Vairagya smiled. The very issues he was thinking of had been laid out by this boy as if they were obvious.
"Fine, but why are you telling me all this? How does this relate to your deal?" Vairagya asked, hiding his curiosity.
"I want to rent your hotel for three days, but on one condition…"
Vairagya raised his eyebrows.
"You will give me the rooms at 5k per night, and in return, I'll improve the hotel's management and food quality, which will generate word-of-mouth publicity for your hotel."
"Photos and videos from the wedding will go viral on the internet, and your hotel will be all over social media," Rajveer explained.
"Then why should I make this deal with you? I have many guests who can do their weddings here and give me the same publicity," Vairagya said with a sly smile, a challenge in his eyes.
"Sir, you seemed like a smart man… but right now, you're sounding kind of foolish," Rajveer said with a confident smile. Vairagya raised his brows, a bit taken aback by the direct reply. Mr. Vijay grabbed Rajveer's hand, trying to calm him down.
"Sir, you know well that no rich person gets married in India, and the poor can't afford your hotel bill. That leaves us – the middle class. Do you think any father would spend money on your hotel instead of giving dowry for his daughter? And your reviews aren't great either," Rajveer said, looking directly into his eyes.
Vairagya was silent for a moment, deep in thought, then said, "I'm ready for this deal… but I have one condition too…"
Rajveer raised his eyebrows slightly, questioning with his eyes.
"You will work as my assistant…" Vairagya proposed, his tone a mix of offer and challenge.
Rajveer smiled, but with a hint of hesitation. "Sir, I've already told you my dream… I don't want a 9 to 5 job."
"Then how will you run a business without experience?" Vairagya asked, the seasoned businessman in him speaking.
Rajveer fell silent. No matter how smart he was, he was still just a 12th-grade student. Competing with an experienced businessman was tough. He felt as if he was caught in a tricky puzzle.
"I'll wait for your answer…" Vairagya said, his voice firm. "If your answer is yes, I'll take care of your sister's wedding arrangements… if no, then don't ever show me your face again. You may leave."
Rajveer looked at Mr. Vijay, whose face was filled with concern and a bit of disappointment. Rajveer gestured for them to leave.
Next morning, Rajveer stood in Vairagya's cabin, holding the same shirt he had borrowed. He placed it on the table and said, "Your shirt."
"I'm waiting for your answer, Rajveer…" Vairagya said with a curious smile.
"I accept your offer… but I'll do this job only as long as I want. If I choose to resign, you cannot stop me," Rajveer stated.
Vairagya slid a contract toward him and said, "This is a five-year contract. You will work for me during this time, and you cannot quit unless I fire you. After five years, you may continue or resign."
"Five years…?" Rajveer muttered, surprised.
"But I'm still in 12th… I need to study too," he said.
Vairagya smiled, "Rajveer, just because you're my assistant doesn't mean you can't have a life. You can continue your studies, as long as they don't affect your job."
Rajveer thought for a moment, then said, "Alright, I agree…" and started reading the contract carefully.
Vairagya watched him closely. Seeing Rajveer read the papers thoroughly made his smile deeper. He had chosen the right person—someone who worked with open eyes and ears instead of blind faith. Vairagya smiled to himself, convinced he had found a gem worth polishing.
Rajveer signed the papers and said, "Let me know when I should join, sir…"
"After your sister's wedding. You can give the date and advance payment to the manager, I'll handle the rest," Vairagya replied.
"Sir, can I handle the arrangements myself?" Rajveer asked.
"But you have no experience, Rajveer…" Vairagya said with some doubt.
"Sir, no one is born with experience. We gain it by doing. And now that I have the chance, how can I let it go?" Rajveer said.
Vairagya smiled and nodded, "Alright, learn from the manager."
"Thank you, sir…" Rajveer bowed and left.
"This boy is amazing… One day, the world will bow before him," Vairagya muttered to himself.
Outside, Mr. Vijay was pacing nervously. Seeing Rajveer, he asked, "What did sir say? Son, everything's alright, right?"
"Papa, calm down… sir agreed, and I'm going to handle the wedding arrangements myself. So you'll have to go home alone…" Rajveer said. "Now listen to me carefully. Don't tell Didi's in-laws anything about the deal. Just say we rented the hotel. No matter what they ask, don't answer. If they ask about me, say I'm here to manage the wedding. And do all the shopping here in Udaipur."
"But if we tell them, they'll be happy, right? So why hide it?" Mr. Vijay asked innocently.
"Papa, you're too innocent. If they find out I've taken a job, they'll try to take advantage and boss everyone around. That's why it's better to keep it quiet," Rajveer explained.
Rajveer saw off Mr. Vijay at the train station and returned to the hotel.
Vairagya had already arranged basic housing and necessities for him in the hotel's back area, so Rajveer didn't face much trouble. He quickly dressed in a formal shirt and pants and headed to Vairagya's office.
Meanwhile, Vairagya's assistant, Abhishek, was sitting in front of him, crying.
"Sir, how can you do this to me? I've been with you for three years… don't you have any sympathy for me? I have small children… please, at least think of them…" Abhishek pleaded.
"You're not even married, Abhishek…" Vairagya said without looking up from his file.
"Oh shit… I got carried away…" Abhishek smacked his head. "But sir, I have elderly parents… I'm their only child… how will they manage without me?"
"Abhishek, I promoted you to company manager and increased your salary. I didn't fire you. So stop whining," Vairagya said, emotionless.
"You're heartless, sir. You know I like working with you, and yet you're pushing me away… that's not fair," Abhishek complained.
"Would you like to leave on your feet or should I call security?" Vairagya asked, raising an eyebrow.
"I'm going, sir… but I curse you—may you get a devil of a wife who makes your life hell, just like you've done to mine…" Abhishek said and stomped off.
Vairagya stared after him in disbelief. Abhishek had been his classmate, and they had worked together since college. Though he used to complain about his job every day, now that he was promoted and moved, he was desperate to stay.
Just then, Rajveer walked in. Abhishek stormed up to him and yelled, "So you're the one who took my job? Because of you, sir fired me! Where will I go now?"
Rajveer was stunned, not understanding what was happening.
Suddenly, his phone rang.
"Come inside, Rajveer," came Vairagya's slightly stern voice.
"Yes, sir…" Rajveer replied quickly and ran to the cabin.
"Sir, that man outside…" Rajveer began hesitantly.
"He's my ex-assistant. Ignore him," Vairagya said flatly, gesturing for Rajveer to sit.
All day, Rajveer worked as per Vairagya's instructions. Whenever he faced a problem, he asked Vairagya, and with just one explanation, he understood. Vairagya was impressed by Rajveer's eagerness and speed of learning.
After a full day of work, Rajveer returned exhausted to his room. For the first time, he felt homesick. He was hungry but didn't feel like cooking. He lay down on the bed, and just then, his phone rang.
"Son, how are you? Everything okay?" Mr. Vijay asked, concern and affection in his voice.
"I'm fine, Papa… how about you? Did you reach home safely?" Rajveer replied, his voice tired.
"Yes, son…" Mr. Vijay was still speaking when Savita Ji snatched the phone and said—
"Raj beta, was it really necessary to say yes? We could've arranged the wedding at another hotel... Who knows how you'll manage alone there...?"
"Mummy... I'm fine, there's no problem," Rajveer reassured her.
"Did you eat anything?" Savita ji asked.
"Yes, the hotel kitchen makes really tasty food, mummy. I got some from there. I've eaten... now I'm going to sleep. You all please come here as soon as possible so we can celebrate the wedding properly," Rajveer said.
"Yes, son... your father spoke to the groom's family. The wedding is in 15 days, so we'll come a week before," Savita ji informed.
"Okay mummy... how's didi?" Rajveer asked about his sister.
"She's fine, she's gone to Shikha's house..." Savita ji replied.
"Alright, take care... I'll hang up now," Rajveer said.
"You take care too, son..." Savita ji said lovingly and ended the call. Rajveer took a deep breath and stared at the ceiling of his room.
Just then, someone knocked on the door.
Rajveer opened it to find a hotel staff member — "Sir, you've been called..."
"Okay, you go ahead, I'll be there..."
Rajveer closed the door and headed toward the hotel's presidential suite.
"Sir, you called...?" Rajveer asked politely, knocking on the door. Vairagya replied, "Yes, Rajveer... come in. Your name's quite long... can I just call you Raj?"
Entering, Rajveer said, "Sir, only my family calls me Raj, but if you want, you can."
"That's good... come on, let's have dinner together tonight," Vairagya said casually.
"Sir, but how can I...?" Rajveer hesitated a bit.
"Why? Did you already eat?" Vairagya asked with a smile.
"No sir... but with you... I mean, I'm your assistant..." Rajveer said, a little hesitant.
"So what? If we can work together, can't we eat together too?" Vairagya said in a friendly tone.
Rajveer fell silent; he didn't know what to say.
"You're missing home, aren't you?" Vairagya asked, smiling.
Rajveer looked a bit surprised and replied, "Yes... a little..."
"I miss it too... but work is work, right Raj?" Vairagya said, taking a deep breath.
"Yes sir..." Rajveer nodded in agreement.
"Vairagya... call me Vairagya. I'm your boss at the office, but here you can consider me a friend..." Vairagya said, getting up from his chair and offering his hand.
"Sir, your friend...?" Rajveer hesitated, feeling a bit awkward hearing that.
"Do you have any friends?" Vairagya asked while serving food onto a plate, a slight sadness in his voice.
"Very few, sir... actually, I don't like when someone mocks my dreams. One of my friends thinks I'm just a daydreamer, so I mostly stay alone..." Rajveer shared, his voice holding a trace of bitterness.
"Same with me..." Vairagya sighed. "Big dreams often steal the small joys of life... and when I finally found someone with my kind of vibe, how could I let him go?" Vairagya said, looking into Rajveer's eyes.
"So that's why you asked me to stay?" Rajveer asked with a mix of surprise and curiosity.
"You could say that..." Vairagya nodded. "And also, your talent... the way you talk — I liked everything. To be honest, you felt like a mirror reflection of me..." Vairagya said, pushing his plate toward Rajveer.
Rajveer nodded in agreement.
While serving food onto Rajveer's plate, Vairagya said, "Just make sure you're not allergic to anything..."
"No, I'm only allergic to peanuts, sir..." Rajveer replied.
"Vairagya..." Vairagya corrected, playfully ruffling Rajveer's hair.
"Yes, sorry... Vairagya..." Rajveer smiled. He was beginning to like Vairagya's friendly behavior.