A Cup of Revenge
Author Pov. :??????
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Morning sunlight filtered through the tall glass windows of the Oberoi mansion.
The dining table looked flawless silver cutlery gleaming, fresh flowers perfectly arranged, breakfast plated like a luxury spread.
Everything looked calm.But the silence... was heavy.
Janvi Oberoi sat at the head of the table, her back straight, her face unreadable.
Aarav and Vishwanath sat across from her.Janvi suddenly placed her spoon down with a sharp clink.
"I still cannot believe this."Her voice was low... but filled with restrained anger.
Vishwanath shifted uncomfortably.
"Janvi, at least hear me out..."
"HEAR YOU OUT?" Janvi snapped, her eyes flashing.She leaned forward slightly, her gaze cutting straight through him.
"You expect me to calmly hear you out after you both decided to hide that my only son was coming?"
Aarav sighed, rubbing his temple.
"Mom, you're overreacting."
"Am I?"Janvi turned to him slowly.
Her tone dropped dangerously calm .
"You went to London for years ... and then suddenly walked back into this house like nothing happened... and I'm the one overreacting?"
"I didn't think it was necessary to announce it like some event."Aarav's jaw tightened.
Janvi let out a bitter laugh.
"Of course you didn't. Why would you?"She folded her arms.
"You've always done exactly what you wanted."
"Mom is right, bhai!" Riddhita slammed her glass lightly.She glared at him.
"You just go there and come back like this. This isn't normal!"
Aarav leaned back, clearly irritated now."I came back, didn't I? That should be enough."
Janvi's eyes hardened."Enough for whom, Aarav?"
"For you? Or for our family, mom?"
Vishwanath quickly stepped in.
"Let's not make this bigger than it already is..."
"Oh, it's already big," Janvi cut him off . She turned to him sharply.
"And you ...You knew. You knew he was coming back, and you didn't think I deserved to know?"Her voice sharpened further.
Vishwanath hesitated.
"I didn't want unnec...."Janvi laughed again, but there was no humor in it.
"Unnecessary drama? So me and my daughter are in the drama now?"
"This is exactly why I didn't say anything."Aarav muttered under his breath,
Janvi heard it.Her head snapped toward him.
"What did you just say?"
Aarav exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair."It's not my fault. Dad wanted me back, so I'm here."
Vishwanath's head snapped toward him instantly.
"What, son? I don't..Don't put this on me, Aarav!"His eyes widened, clearly taken aback.He pointed a finger at him.
"I didn't drag you back here. You made that decision yourself."
Aarav let out a dry laugh.
"Oh really? That's not how I remember it."His eyes met his father's, sharp and challenging. Because he can't handle his mom anymore.
"You called. Repeatedly. You insisted. Said it was important."Vishwanath frowned.
"I requested, I didn't force you!"
"And what was I supposed to do?"Aarav shot back.
Riddhita looked between them, confused and tense.
"Can you both just stop both stop dad and bhai ?"Her voice was smaller.
But neither man was listening anymore.Vishwanath's tone hardened.
"You're twisting things now . And you're pretending in front of your mom."
Then..
"Enough."Janvi's voice sliced through the air.
Both men fell silent instantly.She looked at Vishwanath first.
"So now we're blaming each other?"
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"Janvi, I'm just saying... It's your son who..."Vishwanath exhaled.
"No."She cut him off without even looking at him.
Then her gaze shifted to Aarav.
"And you.You walk into this house after years... and the first thing you do is start arguments?"Her voice softened...
Aarav looked away for a second, jaw clenched.
"I'm not the one starting this."
Then she shook her head slowly.
"Honestly... both of you are the same."Her voice is quieter now, but filled with exhaustion.
Riddhita sighed, rubbing her forehead."Great... morning drama. Just what we needed.
Then Janvi inhaled slowly, closing her eyes for a brief moment as if forcing herself to regain control.
When she spoke again, her tone had changed.
"Leave it.We're not doing this right now."She sat back down.
"Tomorrow is Holi.We have puja to prepare. There are responsibilities which everyone is taking."Her voice is steady now.
Riddhita immediately nodded, grateful for the shift.
"Yes, Mom. There's a lot to do.We still haven't finalized the decorations, and the color arrangements are incomplete."
"Exactly, beta ."Janvi nodded.
"And this time, I don't want last minute chaos."She turned to Vishwanath briefly.
Vishwanath straightened slightly, relieved the focus had changed.
"Of course. Everything will be managed properly , dear i promise."
His tone is softer . Trying to calm his wife down.
"I want everything perfect. Decorations should be elegant, not excessive. Colors should be arranged properly ."
Riddhita smiled faintly."Relax, Mom. I'll handle the aesthetics."
"And both of you are helping me by making prasad?" Janvi asked.
"Okay mom . I will be ready in the morning for puja . Dad and bhai will be arranging the preparation of pooja ." Riddhita replied quickly.
Janvi nodded again, satisfied.
"Good. And Are both of you understanding ?"
"Yes mom . I will be helping dad in the morning." Aarav said.
Suddenly His attention shifted.
To the cup placed in front of him.
"Who made this?"His tone changed instantly sharply, cold.
Rani froze.Meera's fingers tightened slightly on the tray.
A second passed.
Then..
"I ...i did, sir.is there something wrong?"She stepped forward, her voice controlled.
Aarav looked at the cup... then back at her"What is this?"
"Tea, sir."
"Tea?"Aarav's expression darkened immediately.
"You served me tea?"He let out a short, humorless laugh.
Meera stayed silent.
"You know I don't drink tea."Aarav pushed his chair back abruptly and stood up.
"I'm sorry, sir. I didn't kno.."Meera swallowed.
"You didn't know?" he cut in sharply.
He stepped closer, his gaze intense.
"You have worked here for years and you don't know something this basic about me? Or you forget about your work?"he shouted at her.
"You weren't here for years...sir.. i just don't remember ..it."Meera lowered her eyes.
"That's your excuse?Or do you just think it's funny for you."Aarav's expression hardened instantly.
"I said I'm sorry. I.. really.."Meera looked up at him again.
" Don't give excuses . I know you did that purposely." Aarav's lips curled slightly.
"Aarav stopped it. They will bring another one."Janvi frowned immediately.
But he ignored her.
"You had one job . And you couldn't even do that right ." he continued, his voice cold.
"I can make something else.."Meera's grip tightened on the tray.
"You should've thought of that before messing up."His voice sharper now.
Before she could step back.Aarav grabbed her arm.
"Aarav!Leave her! What is wrong with your behaviour.." Janvi stood up instantly.
But Aarav didn't move.His grip tightened slightly.
"You did this on purpose, didn't you?"
His voice dropped dangerous.
"No, sir. I don't.."Meera met his eyes.
"Don't lie.You expect me to believe you forgot?"His gaze narrowed.
Janvi stepped closer."Aarav, that's enough."
"Mom, stay out of this."He didn't even look at her.
"She made a mistake.You're overreacting." Janvi's eyes flashed.
"Aarav, leave her." Vishwanath quickly intervened.
"Bhai, it's literally just tea... why are you acting like this?"Riddhita shook her head.
Aarav exhaled sharply, clearly irritated.Then . He let go of Meera.
But his eyes stayed on her.
Janvi spoke again, calmer now but still firm.
"Meera, bring him coffee now."
Meera nodded."Yes, ma'am."
She turned to leave.
And as she walked away...A small, hidden smile appeared on her lips.
She did it on purpose.
Remind him She wasn't the same girl anymore who beg his attention. For the last night where he irritated her.
Behind her..
Aarav stood there for a moment longer.His jaw is tight.Because he understood too.She still remembered. Everything.And she still chose to provoke him.
His eyes still fixed in the direction Meera had gone.
"I'm getting late. I have to leave for the office."His tone was clipped... but irritation was still lingering beneath it.
Janvi immediately turned toward him.
"At least finish your breakfast first, Aarav."Her voice was soft now... trying to restore normalcy.
"I don't have time for this, Mom. We need to go ." Aarav said
"Yes, he's right. We have an important meeting today." Vishwanath nodded quickly.
Janvi frowned.
"Always meeting and meeting. Meetings can wait for ten minutes."Her brows furrowed, clearly not happy with their behavior.
"They can't. Dad is doing this alone always. Now it's my time . " Aarav replied instantly.He picked up his phone from the table.
"We're already running late, dad . We need to go now. "His voice was low
"You came home back after years... and this is how you start your morning?"Her voice held disappointment again.
Aarav paused.Then looked at her.
"Iam sorry mom. You don't need to worry.I'll make it up to you tonight. I promise. "His tone was softer for a moment.
"You always say that. But you and your dad never listened to me. Always do whatever you guys want ." Janvi sighed.
Vishwanath stood up, adjusting his coat.
"Let's go, Aarav. Or we later for the meeting ."His tone was calm but slightly eager to leave the tension behind.
"Yeah , dad let's go. Iam sorry mom."Aarav nodded once. And kissed his mom cheek.
They both turned toward the exit.
And just then..
Meera walked in.Holding a tray.A cup of coffee.Her fingers tightened slightly around the tray. But she still walked forward.
"Sir... your coffee. Madam told me to make it for you."Her voice was careful, watching his reaction closely.
Aarav stopped.His back is still toward her.He looked over his shoulder.
At her.At the cup.Then back at her face.
"I don't need it anymore. Get out of my face now."His voice was detached...
"But sir,..I made it fresh...you can.."Meera's grip tightened slightly.
Aarav's eyes flickered.
Just slightly.But his expression didn't change.
"Don't you hear what i said..stupid girl . I said I don't need it."His tone was anger now .
" Iam sorry , sir. I won't ask you again.."Meera nodded once.
"Let's go, Dad. We don't have time to waste on stupid things."Aarav looked at her for one more second.Then he turned away.
Vishwanath glanced briefly at Meera.
Then back at Aarav.
"Yes beta , let's not waste more time."
His tone was neutral, but he sensed the tension.
They walked out.
And Meera...Was left standing there.
Holding the cup.
The coffee... slowly cooling.
"Should I take it back?"Rani stepped closer quietly.
Meera didn't answer immediately.
Her eyes were still on the door.
Where he had just left.
Then slowly...A faint smile appeared on her lips.
"No. It's okay. It's my work i can do it."
Then... placed it on the table.
"He knew I made it. But still act like that as always. It's been years but still his ego hasn't changed."Her voice barely above a whisper.
"What are you trying to say meera ?"Rani blinked, confused.
Meera didn't explain.Because she understood something now.He refused the coffee.Not because he didn't want it.But because it came from her.
Meeting Room : ??????
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Thakur Industries Deal ...
Vikram Thakur leaned back in his chair, fingers loosely interlocked as he studied the file in front of him.
"So, Aarav... your proposal looks solid. Expansion into Singapore through joint investment. You take a. Interesting move."He looked up.
"It's not just interesting. It's necessary. The market is shifting. Either you move early... or you get left behind."Aarav nodded slightly.
"Or you move too fast... and fall flat." Omkar gaze settled on Aarav, calm but challenging.
"It's clarity. Something people mistake for impatience when they can't match it."Aarav met his eyes without hesitation.
A faint smirk touched Omkar's lips.
"Confident. But confidence without caution isn't leadership. It's ego."
" It's not ego .Caution is knowing exactly how far you can push before things break."Aarav closed the file in front of him slowly.
" I think you forgot it's joint deal, if you fall... you don't fall alone."Omkar leaned forward slightly.
"Then don't fall. "Aarav leaned back, relaxed.
"Let's keep this constructive..."Vishwanath cleared his throat quickly.
"Oh, I am being constructive . I just prefer to understand the people I work with." Omkar cut in smoothly, still looking at Aarav.
"You already have your answer, mr Thakur ." Aarav replied.
"And that is?"Omkar raised an eyebrow.
"I deliver results. I don't need reassurance while doing it."Aarav said.
Omkar exhaled slowly, then nodded once."Fine. Then let's talk about risk."
"I want tighter clauses on risk sharing with vague liabilities."He tapped the file.
"You'll have defined exit points." Aarav said.
"That's not very reassuring." Omkar's eyes narrowed slightly.
"It's not supposed to reassure you . It's supposed to balance the deal." Aarav said evenly.
"You don't compromise easily, do you?" Omkar tapped his fingers once against the table, studying him.
"I don't compromise where it weakens the structure." Aarav said.
"And you think I do?"Omkar asked him.
"I think you test people," Aarav replied.
"I just don't fail easily." A slow smile appeared on Omkar's face.
"Good. Because neither do I."Aarav said that confidently.
Vikram finally spoke, his tone calm but decisive. "The deal has potential. As long as both sides know exactly who they're dealing with."
Vishwanath nodded in agreement, relief flickering across his face.
"Yes... we're aligned."
But across the table, Aarav and Omkar didn't look away from each other.
The conversation had ended.The challenge hadn't.
Aarav's Cabin : ??????
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Omkar walked in without knocking.
Aarav didn't look up immediately. His focus stayed on the laptop screen in front of him, fingers moving steadily across the keyboard.
"Here is the file , Aarav . "Omkar placed a file on the table.
"What is in it ?"Aarav finally looked up.
"Project details . You need to review it. If everything looks fine, get your dad's signature." Omkar replied casually as he pulled a chair and sat down without asking.
Aarav leaned back slightly, studying him for a moment before opening the file.Pages flipped one after another.
Omkar watched him quietly, his gaze not leaving Aarav's face even for a second.
"You read fast . Why you always in a hurry?" Omkar asked after a while.
"I don't waste time like others." Aarav replied without looking up.
"Or maybe you don't like double checking your decisions, brother."Omkar smirked faintly.
Aarav turned a page.
"You know what , I don't make decisions that need double checking. And That's called experience . Which you even don't have . " he said.
Omkar leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms.
"Maybe i don't have it but i just hope that your experience doesn't cost us later."
A few more seconds passed.Then Aarav closed the file.
"It's okay . There is no problem. And if there was a problem, I would've pointed it out." Aarav said.
Aarav stood up, picked up the file, and walked out.Omkar watched him leave, the smirk slowly returning.
Minutes later,
"Here dad signed it ."Aarav came back in.He placed the file on the table in front of Omkar.
Omkar picked it up, flipping through the pages.
"Ooh!! Don't forget to Get me the final copy by tomorrow." Omkar added.
Then Omkar stood up as if he was about to leave. Omkar reached the door.
Then stopped.A slow smile spread across his face.He turned back.
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Hope you loved the chapter.
And sorry for the late update. Actually i need some time to think about what i will do in the upcoming episodes.
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