08-06-2026, 07:31 PM
(This post was last modified: 08-06-2026, 07:40 PM by heygiwriter. Edited 3 times in total. Edited 3 times in total.)
Chapter 19: Tharun's smart move and Jay's Rejection
As the demo progressed and the team gathered around the large screen, Nikitha instinctively moved closer to Jay. Without thinking, her fingers lightly caught the tip of his shirt — a small, silent plea for comfort and courage in the middle of the chaos.
Jay noticed immediately.
His hand shot down, firmly pushing hers away. He turned his head slightly and gave her a sharp, scolding look — almost like a warning.
“Behave,” he whispered under his breath, his tone cold and low.
Nikitha froze.
The small rejection hit her harder than she expected. She pulled her hand back as if burned, her chest tightening with hurt. She knew she shouldn’t have done it — someone could have seen. But in that moment, she had been emotionally confused and overwhelmed. She had only needed solace from him… and instead, he had pushed her away.
The rest of the demo passed in a blur for her.
After the presentation ended, Tharun stepped to the center of the room. The entire team, along with senior management, quieted down as he began speaking.
“I want to congratulate every single one of you,” Tharun said, his voice confident and warm. “This demo was possible only because of the hard work you all put in. Special thanks to Jay for leading the gameplay systems, Anjali for the stunning visuals, and the entire support team for making this vision come alive.”
He continued praising individuals, giving credit where it was due. The entire company was impressed by how quickly he had united the team and pushed the project forward. Though Jay was the senior executive and official project lead, it was clear to everyone that Tharun’s planning, communication, and leadership had been the real driving force.
Tharun gracefully pulled Jay forward to take credit as the project lead. Jay smiled and thanked the team, but the crowd knew the truth — Tharun had made it possible.
Later, during the company-organized lunch, HR and the Managing Director mingled with the team. Tharun accompanied them, personally introducing every key technician.
When they reached Nikitha, Tharun kept it completely professional.
“Nikitha has been doing outstanding work on gameplay mechanics,” he said with a polite smile. “Her insights have been invaluable.”
He didn’t mention the avatar. He didn’t linger. He moved on smoothly.
Nikitha felt a wave of relief.
Later, while she was having lunch at a corner table, Tharun approached her quietly.
He stood a respectful distance away and spoke in a low, sincere voice.
“I’m sorry, Nikitha,” he said gently, his deep voice low enough that only she could hear. “I noticed you stepped back after what I said earlier. If you felt uneasy, I apologize. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable. I wanted to complete what I was saying, but you left before I could finish.”
He pulled out his phone and opened a PDF file, turning the screen toward her. It contained multiple reference images and detailed notes. One page had several photos of her in the peach saree, along with annotations about her posture, the graceful way she moved, and the natural elegance she carried.
On another page were photos of other real people — including an electrician who had come to fix wires at the office a few weeks ago, and a few of Tharun’s friends from outside.
Nikitha scrolled through them silently, her eyebrows slightly furrowed.
Tharun watched her reaction carefully. This was a calculated move. He had tested her earlier with the avatar comment, wanting to see if she would be tempted or flattered. When she stepped back, he realized she wasn’t easily swayed by direct emotional bait. So he changed tactics — showing transparency to rebuild trust and close the small gap he had created.
“Every character in this game has real-life references,” Tharun explained softly. “Some from our company, some from my personal circle. As the concept head, I feed these inspirations to the design team. I felt the angel needed real graciousness and elegance. You matched it perfectly. That’s why I chose you and changed only the face.”
He paused, then added with genuine-sounding regret, “I don’t know if you misunderstood my words… but it seems I scared you. I’m sorry.
Let me be honest Nikitha, you impressed me with your work, with your sincerity, and with your friendly nature. I truly wanted to become a friend of you here.. I only know less people in bangalore. but looks like scared you and messed up.
Nikitha looked at him, her mind racing. For a brief second, she almost believed the sincerity in his voice. But something in his eyes — that quiet intensity — told her this was still part of a larger plan. He was playing the long game, to get her.. he is carefully adjusting his approach after reading her reaction.
Before she could find the right words to respond, Tharun gave a small, respectful nod.
“I’ll leave you to your lunch,” he said quietly, and walked away.
Nikitha wanted to stop him. She feared what if he truly leaves the idea, which would eventually lead to get herself got exposed of hidden marriage.
She wanted to say something, to get back herself in his game.. anything — but the words stuck in her throat. She let him go.
That evening, back at home, she kept checking her phone, half-expecting a message from him. But nothing came.
As the demo progressed and the team gathered around the large screen, Nikitha instinctively moved closer to Jay. Without thinking, her fingers lightly caught the tip of his shirt — a small, silent plea for comfort and courage in the middle of the chaos.
Jay noticed immediately.
His hand shot down, firmly pushing hers away. He turned his head slightly and gave her a sharp, scolding look — almost like a warning.
“Behave,” he whispered under his breath, his tone cold and low.
Nikitha froze.
The small rejection hit her harder than she expected. She pulled her hand back as if burned, her chest tightening with hurt. She knew she shouldn’t have done it — someone could have seen. But in that moment, she had been emotionally confused and overwhelmed. She had only needed solace from him… and instead, he had pushed her away.
The rest of the demo passed in a blur for her.
After the presentation ended, Tharun stepped to the center of the room. The entire team, along with senior management, quieted down as he began speaking.
“I want to congratulate every single one of you,” Tharun said, his voice confident and warm. “This demo was possible only because of the hard work you all put in. Special thanks to Jay for leading the gameplay systems, Anjali for the stunning visuals, and the entire support team for making this vision come alive.”
He continued praising individuals, giving credit where it was due. The entire company was impressed by how quickly he had united the team and pushed the project forward. Though Jay was the senior executive and official project lead, it was clear to everyone that Tharun’s planning, communication, and leadership had been the real driving force.
Tharun gracefully pulled Jay forward to take credit as the project lead. Jay smiled and thanked the team, but the crowd knew the truth — Tharun had made it possible.
Later, during the company-organized lunch, HR and the Managing Director mingled with the team. Tharun accompanied them, personally introducing every key technician.
When they reached Nikitha, Tharun kept it completely professional.
“Nikitha has been doing outstanding work on gameplay mechanics,” he said with a polite smile. “Her insights have been invaluable.”
He didn’t mention the avatar. He didn’t linger. He moved on smoothly.
Nikitha felt a wave of relief.
Later, while she was having lunch at a corner table, Tharun approached her quietly.
He stood a respectful distance away and spoke in a low, sincere voice.
“I’m sorry, Nikitha,” he said gently, his deep voice low enough that only she could hear. “I noticed you stepped back after what I said earlier. If you felt uneasy, I apologize. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable. I wanted to complete what I was saying, but you left before I could finish.”
He pulled out his phone and opened a PDF file, turning the screen toward her. It contained multiple reference images and detailed notes. One page had several photos of her in the peach saree, along with annotations about her posture, the graceful way she moved, and the natural elegance she carried.
On another page were photos of other real people — including an electrician who had come to fix wires at the office a few weeks ago, and a few of Tharun’s friends from outside.
Nikitha scrolled through them silently, her eyebrows slightly furrowed.
Tharun watched her reaction carefully. This was a calculated move. He had tested her earlier with the avatar comment, wanting to see if she would be tempted or flattered. When she stepped back, he realized she wasn’t easily swayed by direct emotional bait. So he changed tactics — showing transparency to rebuild trust and close the small gap he had created.
“Every character in this game has real-life references,” Tharun explained softly. “Some from our company, some from my personal circle. As the concept head, I feed these inspirations to the design team. I felt the angel needed real graciousness and elegance. You matched it perfectly. That’s why I chose you and changed only the face.”
He paused, then added with genuine-sounding regret, “I don’t know if you misunderstood my words… but it seems I scared you. I’m sorry.
Let me be honest Nikitha, you impressed me with your work, with your sincerity, and with your friendly nature. I truly wanted to become a friend of you here.. I only know less people in bangalore. but looks like scared you and messed up.
Nikitha looked at him, her mind racing. For a brief second, she almost believed the sincerity in his voice. But something in his eyes — that quiet intensity — told her this was still part of a larger plan. He was playing the long game, to get her.. he is carefully adjusting his approach after reading her reaction.
Before she could find the right words to respond, Tharun gave a small, respectful nod.
“I’ll leave you to your lunch,” he said quietly, and walked away.
Nikitha wanted to stop him. She feared what if he truly leaves the idea, which would eventually lead to get herself got exposed of hidden marriage.
She wanted to say something, to get back herself in his game.. anything — but the words stuck in her throat. She let him go.
That evening, back at home, she kept checking her phone, half-expecting a message from him. But nothing came.
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