28-06-2026, 06:42 PM
Chapter 67: The Gap & The Lift
The morning HR meeting was brief but impactful.
HR officials and senior management had gathered the core team in the main conference room.
Tharun attended, but Nikitha was absent — she had taken half a day off for personal work.
The HR Head stood at the front with a rare smile.
“Tomorrow we have a full-day refreshment program. It’s not just about work anymore. After our back-to-back successful launches, we realized we don’t really know our people. Thats the reason the company went into some issues internally. Some recent happenings opened our eyes. We realised that you guys need a relief time as well. You guys need a break. Also the top tier people also need to bond well with all staffs, and getting to know each other will increase efficiency we now believe. So the purpose of this program is to let you chill, refresh, and connect as humans — not just colleagues. We will make this a regular event every two months.”
He nodded toward Sharmi.
“Thanks to Sharmila’s excellent ideas, we have appointed her as the organizer. Tomorrow, be yourself. Indulge in the programs. Every game has winners. One of you could win a trip to the UK or USA — your choice. Others may get shields, vouchers, or special recognition. The details about the games will not be revealed now and it will be done only after the event starts, as We want you to participate with an open mind.”
The room buzzed with excitement.
In the noon break, Jay found Sharmi near the pantry and asked with a small smile, “What did you trick the HR into giving you the organizer position?”
Sharmi smiled brightly. “Last time when they called us for the refreshment discussion, I had a lot of ideas. Yesterday I went there and spoke with them directly. They were impressed and called HR. That’s how I got the organizer title.”
He congratulated with a smile. He reached his hand to give a handshake and she indeed happy to hold it.
Meanwhile, in Tharun’s cabin, the HR Head was impressed with how Tharun was leading the business front. He handed over a few client contacts based in Mumbai.
“We want you to pitch both existing and new clients. Specially a client whom we were trying for years. His name is Dhruv , brother of Aditya, a big industrialist one who is pioneer in bringing new findings through his group of companies. . He is big business man, he do invest a lot and he had many partners. Take your own team. I want to hear only one thing Dhruv had accepted our profile.”
Tharun nodded confidently. “I may need Jay. His gaming knowledge on the technical front will be crucial to convince them how we can pull it off. Actually, the top four people we worked with — me, Jay, Nikitha, and earlier Anjali — we all can go. Now with Anjali suspended, I guess the three of us can handle it.”
“Perfect. Go for it,” the HR said. “Next week — Monday or Tuesday — Dhruv will be in Mumbai. You guys can leave on Sunday night. Just three more days. You can stay there for a week. First get introduced, then ask for their time. Stay there and get things done. I want you to come back with a new game proposal. Got it?”
Tharun said yes.
The HR smiled. “Just leave all this. Tomorrow is a refreshment day. Enjoy yourself. You and Nikki can join Jay’s team for celebration. Get your brain refreshed. Sharmi insisted the business team should participate too. Get yourself free. By Thursday I’ll book cinema coupons for prize holders. If you guys want a different movie, use the coupons. Friday let’s discuss the Mumbai plan. I will have a conversation with Jay and Nikki myself. And on Sunday, get ready to go. I’ll ask the accountant to book tickets on Friday. Once you reach there, you can get cars. If you three want different cars, I can arrange that too — so you all can travel separately if you need privacy.”
Tharun thanked him for the thoughtful gesture.
Meanwhile, Nikitha had settled all the loan amounts at the bank. With the recent interest rate drop, she even paid a little less than expected. The bank said the NOC would come only after 20 days, and they had to cancel the mortgage only after that. Nikitha thanked them and reached home.
Back home, she was just thinking of how the house had become an integral part of her life. S
he recalled all the good moments with Jay — the quiet nights, the shared struggles, the small comforts but today it felt different. The night felt routine. She didn’t even speak with Jay properly. They had a quiet dinner. He wanted to ask how her day went, but he kept silent.
The morning, both woke up at the same time. Their eyes met, and she realized she was in his arms again.
They stayed like that for a few seconds before pretending to avoid it.
On the way to office in car, Jay asked softly, “Is there no way we could…?”
Nikitha looked straight ahead. She doesnt want to play hide and seek and hurt Jay. She know Jay cannot prove his love, and She know she had to leave him for everyones good.
She kept her cold tone and said.... “I once wished that's why I once warned. But there is no way I feel. After all these years, I still feel if you even know me properly. I may sound repetitive, but it was just how it was. It keeps ringing in my ears. I didn’t see love. You are a good man, I know, but for me… just a good man is not enough and i want one who love me too the deep and a lot which i expect. And you didn’t know what I really wanted. That’s where everything collapsed.”
The gap between them grew even wider.
After parking the car.. They walked weakly toward the lift. When they entered, the door closed.
Seconds later. Once again, the lift opened to a sudden press from outside.
It was Sharmi again, stepping in to fill the gap between them. Nikki felt the Dejavu...
As expected Sharmi stood between them, she smiled again.
Nikitha could not contain her anger, why do you smile again she asked.
Are you ready for the game? The real test! Sharmi asked. Pinpointing they are stepping into office for Refreshment day .
The morning HR meeting was brief but impactful.
HR officials and senior management had gathered the core team in the main conference room.
Tharun attended, but Nikitha was absent — she had taken half a day off for personal work.
The HR Head stood at the front with a rare smile.
“Tomorrow we have a full-day refreshment program. It’s not just about work anymore. After our back-to-back successful launches, we realized we don’t really know our people. Thats the reason the company went into some issues internally. Some recent happenings opened our eyes. We realised that you guys need a relief time as well. You guys need a break. Also the top tier people also need to bond well with all staffs, and getting to know each other will increase efficiency we now believe. So the purpose of this program is to let you chill, refresh, and connect as humans — not just colleagues. We will make this a regular event every two months.”
He nodded toward Sharmi.
“Thanks to Sharmila’s excellent ideas, we have appointed her as the organizer. Tomorrow, be yourself. Indulge in the programs. Every game has winners. One of you could win a trip to the UK or USA — your choice. Others may get shields, vouchers, or special recognition. The details about the games will not be revealed now and it will be done only after the event starts, as We want you to participate with an open mind.”
The room buzzed with excitement.
In the noon break, Jay found Sharmi near the pantry and asked with a small smile, “What did you trick the HR into giving you the organizer position?”
Sharmi smiled brightly. “Last time when they called us for the refreshment discussion, I had a lot of ideas. Yesterday I went there and spoke with them directly. They were impressed and called HR. That’s how I got the organizer title.”
He congratulated with a smile. He reached his hand to give a handshake and she indeed happy to hold it.
Meanwhile, in Tharun’s cabin, the HR Head was impressed with how Tharun was leading the business front. He handed over a few client contacts based in Mumbai.
“We want you to pitch both existing and new clients. Specially a client whom we were trying for years. His name is Dhruv , brother of Aditya, a big industrialist one who is pioneer in bringing new findings through his group of companies. . He is big business man, he do invest a lot and he had many partners. Take your own team. I want to hear only one thing Dhruv had accepted our profile.”
Tharun nodded confidently. “I may need Jay. His gaming knowledge on the technical front will be crucial to convince them how we can pull it off. Actually, the top four people we worked with — me, Jay, Nikitha, and earlier Anjali — we all can go. Now with Anjali suspended, I guess the three of us can handle it.”
“Perfect. Go for it,” the HR said. “Next week — Monday or Tuesday — Dhruv will be in Mumbai. You guys can leave on Sunday night. Just three more days. You can stay there for a week. First get introduced, then ask for their time. Stay there and get things done. I want you to come back with a new game proposal. Got it?”
Tharun said yes.
The HR smiled. “Just leave all this. Tomorrow is a refreshment day. Enjoy yourself. You and Nikki can join Jay’s team for celebration. Get your brain refreshed. Sharmi insisted the business team should participate too. Get yourself free. By Thursday I’ll book cinema coupons for prize holders. If you guys want a different movie, use the coupons. Friday let’s discuss the Mumbai plan. I will have a conversation with Jay and Nikki myself. And on Sunday, get ready to go. I’ll ask the accountant to book tickets on Friday. Once you reach there, you can get cars. If you three want different cars, I can arrange that too — so you all can travel separately if you need privacy.”
Tharun thanked him for the thoughtful gesture.
Meanwhile, Nikitha had settled all the loan amounts at the bank. With the recent interest rate drop, she even paid a little less than expected. The bank said the NOC would come only after 20 days, and they had to cancel the mortgage only after that. Nikitha thanked them and reached home.
Back home, she was just thinking of how the house had become an integral part of her life. S
he recalled all the good moments with Jay — the quiet nights, the shared struggles, the small comforts but today it felt different. The night felt routine. She didn’t even speak with Jay properly. They had a quiet dinner. He wanted to ask how her day went, but he kept silent.
The morning, both woke up at the same time. Their eyes met, and she realized she was in his arms again.
They stayed like that for a few seconds before pretending to avoid it.
On the way to office in car, Jay asked softly, “Is there no way we could…?”
Nikitha looked straight ahead. She doesnt want to play hide and seek and hurt Jay. She know Jay cannot prove his love, and She know she had to leave him for everyones good.
She kept her cold tone and said.... “I once wished that's why I once warned. But there is no way I feel. After all these years, I still feel if you even know me properly. I may sound repetitive, but it was just how it was. It keeps ringing in my ears. I didn’t see love. You are a good man, I know, but for me… just a good man is not enough and i want one who love me too the deep and a lot which i expect. And you didn’t know what I really wanted. That’s where everything collapsed.”
The gap between them grew even wider.
After parking the car.. They walked weakly toward the lift. When they entered, the door closed.
Seconds later. Once again, the lift opened to a sudden press from outside.
It was Sharmi again, stepping in to fill the gap between them. Nikki felt the Dejavu...
As expected Sharmi stood between them, she smiled again.
Nikitha could not contain her anger, why do you smile again she asked.
Are you ready for the game? The real test! Sharmi asked. Pinpointing they are stepping into office for Refreshment day .
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