The Sky Is Not the Limit
A man in his 60s is looking at his tab while a party is in progress on the terrace of a lavishly designed skyscraper – ROY INDUSTRIES INC. While the man is busy looking at the sales figures and graphs, he occasionally looks at the employees of the company. He smiles as he sees the employees enjoying the party and having their fill of good food and drinks. He keeps his tab aside and then looks at the main chamber of the chairman that is dimly lit. He spots him standing and watching the proceedings with a smile of satisfaction. He walks back to his table and makes another drink for himself. The old man, Ratan, walks upstairs to the chamber and knocks on the door. “Come in.” says the chairman with a voice born out of sophistication. Ratan enters the chamber to see the chairman looking at the brightly lit city and calmly taking a sip from his glass. Ratan looks at the office table that is neat and clean, the chairman’s social media account is open and every now and then, there are messages from his subordinates, employees and clients congratulating him for his recent success. Before walking up to him, Ratan sees the name of the chairman on the pen stand – ANKIT ROY. “Sales are going sky high; stock prices are at their all-time best… yet here you are enjoying your privacy when you are supposed to be out there. Don’t you feel bored being surrounded by clients only when a man of your age should be surrounded by friends, well-wishers… or may be the most beautiful girls in town.” Says Ratan. Ankit continues to look at the city scape, he chuckles at that comment, taking another sip, he replies, “There are certain things on this planet which come with a price tag. Does not matter if you have all the wealth in this planet, you will either buy it or crib about it, nothing else. However, things like… LOVE, FRIENDSHIP… they do not come with a price tag and that is where the problem starts. You determine the quality of a product when it comes with a price tag but things which do not have a price tag, there is no way you can judge the quality of it. A man of my stature who has grown up looking at nothing but price tags can… and never will understand the hidden motive behind love and friendship unless the person is looking for an opportunity that I can give. I am beyond all this, Uncle. I do not need them. I am running an empire that is driven by results and profits, and those are… and will always remain my ‘love’ and ‘friendship’.” “If you say so, son. Still, there are guests down there waiting for you. You are the face of the company so it would do a world of good if you could at least show that face… and make a few people happy. If that is how any business survives, then we ought to do that every now and then.” Says Ratan, as he walks out of the chamber. Ankit places his glass on the table and as he continues looking at the cityscape, he thinks, “I hate the part where I need to show off but Uncle is right. I am the face of the company… and I need to keep that image.” He adjusts the lighting in the room and walks towards a mirror. He looks at himself thoroughly and once satisfied, combs his hair, utilizes a costly perfume and comes out of the chamber. As he walks down the stairs, he is greeted with claps and cheers, and the regular gasps from the ladies. The first thing that Ankit notices is the exotic dresses the ladies are wearing and could only nod in embarrassment. “Dear lord, take that crazy idea out of my head. I don’t have time for it.” Ankit thinks as he stands on a podium and waves at the crowd. Ratan joins him and whispers into Ankit’s ears, “That tall lady in the green outfit, what do you think?” “I was looking at the red one… oh wait, what are you talking about?” Ankit retorts, as though coming out of a trance. “Never mind. Enjoy the moment.” Says Ratan, smiling mischievously. In the same city, in a posh locality, a young lady is browsing through a collection of photos on her laptop. She receives a call on her mobile. “Amrita, a wild guess if it should be. You are looking at the party photos that we went to yesterday. Am I right?” It is her friend, Gaurav. “The club has just uploaded it and I got a message. So many photos but you know me, I always choose the best ones.” Amrita replies. “No doubt about that. No wonder most of us believe in you to do the honor of finding the best. Alright, Bye. Got to go. Will talk later.” Saying, Gaurav disconnected the call. Amrita saves all the best photos in her laptop and has a look at them. She smiles and also blushes as she looks at her photos in her hottest poses. Her eyes then fall on a particular person… Vishal. “My handsome hunk. I waited for this for days. My dream come true… we danced, we drank and we had fun. I am eagerly waiting for the day when we will dance again, just me and you… and nobody else. The question is… are you thinking the same way as me? Are you even thinking about me?” Amrita thinks as she keeps staring at the photo. She is ‘awakened’ by her mother who places a cup of coffee on her desk. “Hmmm, you got some handsome friends but it looks like you have not decided whom to place in your ‘special category’ list.” Says Amrita’s mom. Amrita closes the lid of the laptop, and with a mischievous smile, says, “No peeping into my laptop.” Her mom chuckles and says, “I am your mother. Even if you don’t tell me, nothing is hidden from me. I have raised you to be an independent woman who can not only make her own choices but also the right choice. And I am pretty sure, when the time comes, you will make the right choice.” As her mom leaves the room, Amrita opens her laptop again and starts uploading the photos to her social media account but not before proudly looking at the number of friends and followers. “I know a lot of them are envious that I have so many followers. Not my fault, I have beauty and talent… and I see no reason not showing them off to the world.” Says Amrita, a team leader in an MNC and also, a Tech Blogger. She has, no doubt, made her name as a tech blogger but she also knows that she has a long way to go. However, like every other lady of her age, she also craves to be loved, to be the special one for somebody and find her soul mate but her perspective of ‘LOVE’ is only influenced by the lives of high-profile celebrities and movie stars. 2 people from different walks of life, Ankit and Amrita, but to both of them – the sky is not the limit. Little do they realize that something big is going to happen and their thoughts, their perspectives… are about to be tested. The next day at Amrita’s office, she is sitting and having tea and snacks with her friends, Gaurav and Sneha. “Damn, those are some hot photos and to have uploaded the best of the best… you not only have the talent for making the right choices but also, great eyes for details too.” Says Sneha to Amrita, still browsing the photos on her social media account. “Thanks, Sneha.” Amrita replies as she looks around searching for someone. Amrita, Gaurav and Sneha are at the cafeteria in their office. They have about half an hour of time before starting of their work schedule. Gaurav notices Amrita looking here and there, he smiles as he sips some tea from his cup and comments, “Amrita is so used to receiving compliments. Sneha complimented but Amrita doesn’t seem to be concerned.” Amrita hears that and scowls at Gaurav. Sneha giggles and reveals the truth, “Amrita is looking for her handsome hunk. Looks like a celebrity wedding is on the cards for her.” “Wait a minute. Are you talking about Vishal? Of course, I saw how you were taking your chances to dance with him. You literally ended up getting cozy with him and he was enjoying it.” Gaurav says. Amrita is still scowling at Gaurav but then she starts to smile. She comes closer and asks, “So you were looking at us all the time? Were you feeling jealous?” Gaurav stares at Amrita and then starts laughing. Sneha continues to giggle as she puts down her mobile, tired of browsing through her social media account. “I have my life sorted, Amrita. Besides, I am getting married the next month so… I am in the process of transformation. I have reduced my drinks, a few of my bad habits and… that party we went in was a way to sign off from my bachelor’s life once and for all. I know I will get my chance to party again but not as regularly as we all do now. So, me being jealous of you… ha ha, in your dreams.” Gaurav explains. Amrita continues to smile. She knows about Gaurav’s marriage and she feels happy for him. A part of her also craves for settling down with the man she loves. “As for you, Amrita, we always wanted you to succeed in life and I know you will. Even with your love life, I pray that you settle down with the one you love.” Says Gaurav. Sneha is looking at somebody sitting behind them. She turns back to her friends and whispers, “Without a doubt, you do have secret admirers. One of them is behind you.” Amrita looks surprised, she slowly looks back and sees a man in complete formals looking at them, and drinking a cup of coffee. He notices Amrita looking at him and then looks down pretending to check his mobile. Amrita continues to stare at him along with the others, wanting to know the man’s intentions. The man realizes that they are still looking at him. Still looking down, he puts the mobile in his pocket, gets up from the table and throwing his cup in a bin, walks away from there. Amrita and her friends then look at each other, and burst out laughing. “What a jerk.” Sneha comments. At that moment, Vishal enters the cafeteria and Sneha nudges Amrita to see him. The latter’s heart skips a beat as Vishal walks towards the food court to buy something. “Call him, Amrita. Speak to him. He must have also seen those photos.” Sneha advises. “Yes, consider it as a feedback session.” Gaurav ad, winking. “Come on, guys. Are you crazy? Besides, we have another 10 minutes before we hit the floor. I am not going to get that ample time for your so-called ‘feedback session’.” Amrita says. Gaurav isn’t convinced. He looks in the direction of Vishal and without a second thought, calls him, “Hey Vishal! What’s up, dude!!” Amrita had taken a sip from her tea cup; she almost spits it out and stares at Gaurav who again winks at her. She looks at Vishal who notices her and walks towards the group. “Hey Guys. May I?” Says Vishal, as he drags a chair to sit. “Did you see the party photos?” Sneha asks, almost excited. Amrita cannot believe what is going on. She takes a deep breath and looks at Vishal, the latter in turn is looking at her only. He gives a smile and Amrita could feel her heart melting. She smiles back. “I did, actually. I must say we all had fun. I have been to so many parties but this has to be the top rated in my experience.” Says Vishal. Gaurav then looks at Sneha and gives a hint to move out of here, the latter understands. “Oh, it is almost time. We have to leave. Amrita, we will meet you upstairs.” Saying, Gaurav gets up from his seat along with Sneha and before Amrita could say something, they walk away. Amrita and Vishal are all alone now. They are not talking and as time passes by, all they do is either keep looking at each other and then look away from each other. “Amrita.” Vishal speaks up. Amrita looks at Vishal wanting to know what the latter is going to say. “It is time, Amrita. I need to report to my manager.” Says Vishal. Amrita looks at her watch, it is indeed time and she is disappointed. “Don’t worry. We will meet again. All you need to do is tell me the proper time you people will come for a break and I will join you. For now, let us go.” Says Vishal, as he gets up from his seat. Amrita is still silent, she takes her bag, gets up and still smiling, looks at Vishal again. “My process is on the same floor as yours. We will go together.” Says Vishal. Amrita can feel her heart beating fast. Together in a lift? Provided, it is not crowded. They walk towards the lift, the door opens, there are a few people in it and Amrita is disappointed again. They get in and Vishal presses the button to the 4th floor. Once they reach the floor, Vishal walks in the direction of his process but not before turning to see Amrita and bidding farewell. As he walks away, Amrita looks in that direction and says, “So much to talk about yet we kept silent. One more opportunity and I will take it to reveal my feelings. Just another chance, that is all I want.”