Return With Skills

I read Anushka's email with a mix of excitement and nervousness. It's all happening so fast. "Mom," I call out, trying to keep my voice steady. "I've got a meeting tomorrow about something important. Can I tell you about it?"

Mom looks up from her cooking, wiping her hands on her apron. "Of course, beta," she says, a hint of curiosity in her voice. "What's it about?"

"Well," I begin, taking a deep breath, "I've been blogging about renewable energy, and a company wants to meet me to discuss it."

Her eyes widen in surprise. "Really?" she asks. "That's wonderful, Jain. What time?"

"It's at the same cafe where I go to write," I explain. "At 5 pm."

Her expression turns serious. "You know, I'm proud of you," she says, stepping over to give me a warm hug. "But remember, be careful with your heart and your time. Not everyone has good intentions."

I nod, feeling a rush of love for her. "I know, Mom," I murmur. "But I think this could be a good thing for all of us."

"Thanks for the support, Mom," I reply, feeling a weight lift from my shoulders. "But remember, I'm only going to discuss some ideas, no commitments yet."

Mom nods, a small smile playing on her lips. "I know," she says, her voice gentle. "But it's my duty as your mother to worry. And I won't let you start any work before you turn 18. Focus on your studies now, okay?"

"Okay, Mom," I say with a sigh of relief, knowing she's looking out for me. "But I can't wait to show them what I've got."

"Just be careful," she warns, a hint of steely determination in her eyes. "If anything seems off, you tell me or you come straight home, okay?"

"I will," I promise, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. "But I think it'll be fine. It's just a meeting, after all."

Mom nods and returns to her cooking, her movements a little slower, a hint of pride in her eyes. "Just remember," she says over her shoulder, "you're not in this alone.

We're a family, and we'll face whatever comes together."

"Whats wrong bro?" Abhi asked, noticing my distraction.

"Nothing, just I have a meeting with some company tomorrow," I told him, trying to play it cool.

"What? And you didn't tell me?" Abhi pouted, his voice tinged with disappointment. "You said I could help you with stuff like that."

"I'm sorry, it happened so quickly," I apologized, "But as an apology, do you want to come with me tomorrow?"

"Yes, I protect you," Abhi said with a grin, flexing his non-existent muscles.

I couldn't help but chuckle at his enthusiasm. "Thanks, buddy," I said, ruffling his hair.

"But I think we'll be fine. It's just about talking and sharing ideas."

"Okay," Abhi said, his expression earnest. "But if they try anything funny, you know I've got your back."

"I know, I know," I assured him, feeling a warmth in my chest.

"Thank you." The status window flickered open again, displaying a new update: [Interpersonal Skill Increased]. It seems my relationship with Abhi is growing stronger through these shared experiences.

The next day, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness, we both get dressed and I grab some notes and my laptop. As we're about to leave, Mom stops us at the door, her eyes filled with concern. "Remember, if they say anything you don't understand, just come home," she says, her grip tightening on the handle of her shopping bag.

"Or I can come with you," she adds quickly, her voice hopeful.

I shake my head, trying to hide my own anxiety. "No, Mom, it's okay. We've got this," I say, giving her a reassuring smile.

Abhi nods in agreement, trying to look brave. "We'll be fine," he says, patting her arm.

Mom's expression relaxes a bit, but the worry lines don't completely vanish from her forehead. "If anything happens, you call me," she insists.

"We will, Mom," I promise. "We're just going to the coffee shop to talk."

With one last look of caution, she nods, and we step out into the bustling streets of Delhi. The sun beats down on us as we make our way to the meeting, the cacophony of honking cars and shouting vendors a stark contrast to the quiet of our home. I feel a rush of excitement, knowing that this could be the start of something big. Something that could change all our lives.

We arrive at the bus stand, the air thick with the smell of diesel and the heat from the engines. The chatter of passengers and the blaring of horns create a symphony of chaos that is oddly comforting. "Come on," I say to Abhi, leading the way through the crowd. "We're going to the coffee shop where I helped that lady with her laptop."

As we board the bus, I feel a sense of pride swell within me. I've never felt so important, so needed. The bus ride is a blur of color and motion as we weave through the crowded streets of Delhi. The jolts of the bus on the uneven road do little to dampen my spirits.

"So, what's this meeting about?" Abhi asks again, his voice filled with curiosity.

"They want to talk about renewable energy," I explain, keeping it simple. "You know, like solar panels that make electricity from the sun."

"Oh, cool," Abhi says, his eyes lighting up. "But why do they want to talk to you?"

"Well," I begin, feeling a bit self-conscious, "I've been writing some blogs about it, and they liked my ideas."

Abhi nods, trying to look serious. "Ah, I see," he says, stroking his chin. "So, you're like a big shot now?"

I roll my eyes, but can't help the smile that spreads across my face. "More like a small fish in a big pond," I correct him. "But it's a chance to learn and maybe make a difference."

The bus finally pulls up to our stop, and we disembark into the heat and noise of the city. As we walk the final stretch to the cafe, I can't help but feel a twinge of fear. What if they don't like my ideas? What if I'm not good enough? But then I remember the strength and confidence Cuyle has granted me, and I stand a little taller.

When we enter the cafe, Anushka is already there, waiting for me. She stands up as we approach, her eyes lighting up when she sees us. "Jain," she says with a warm smile, extending her hand. "Thank you for coming."

"Thank you for having me," I reply, shaking her hand firmly.

"Hi, I am Runa." She waves to us.

"Who is this?" Anushka asks, eyeing Abhi curiously.

"Ah, this is my brother, Abhi," I say, gesturing to him. "He's interested in renewable energy too."

"Nice to meet you, ma'am," Abhi says shyly, his nerves palpable.

"Likewise," Anushka replies, her gaze shifting to me. "What a fascinating coincidence that you wrote something we've been looking for."

"It must be fate," I say, trying to keep the conversation light.

"Yes, indeed," Anushka agrees, ordering coffee for the four of us.

As we sit down, the atmosphere in the cafe feels electric. I open my laptop, feeling the weight of the moment. The blog post on the screen, a testament to the power of words and the potential to change the world.

"So, Jain," Anushka says, leaning forward. "Tell us more about this thesis you've written. We're all ears."

I swallow hard, my heart racing. This is it. I begin to speak, my voice steady and confident as I outline my vision for a cleaner, greener Delhi. The words come easily, each sentence flowing into the next like a well-rehearsed speech. Abhi's jaw drops as he listens, his eyes wide with amazement. Even a few passersby stop to eavesdrop, their expressions a mix of curiosity and admiration.

Anushka and Runa hang on to every word, their expressions a mirror of each other's concentration. They ask questions, and I answer them with the knowledge that has been granted to me. It's surreal, and yet, it feels completely natural.

As we delve deeper into the topic, my mind races with the possibilities. Could this be the beginning of a future that's brighter than I ever dared to imagine? With L by my side, it seems anything is possible.

My heart skips a beat as Anushka and Runa pull out the documents. "This is the contract," Anushka says, her voice filled with excitement. "Our company wants to purchase your thesis and the rights to the ideas it contains."

I stare at the paperwork, feeling overwhelmed. "Really?" I ask, my voice shaking slightly.

"Because it's brilliant," Runa says, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "You've outlined a clear and actionable plan for implementing renewable energy in India. It's exactly what we need."

Anushka nods in agreement. "And if it's successful, we'll offer you a share in the profits," she adds.

The numbers on the page swim before my eyes. Thirty thousand rupees for my thesis. Two percent of the company's earnings from the implementation of my ideas. It's more than I've ever dreamed of.

"But what if it doesn't work?" I ask, the doubt creeping in.

Anushka looks at me with understanding. "Then you didn't get the share money," she says gently. "But we've made an advanced payment for the thesis. We believe in your vision, Jain."

The words hang in the air, and I feel a rush of gratitude. "Thank you for believing in me," I murmur. "I'll make sure it's worth it."

The status window flickers open again, displaying another update: [Persuasion Skill Increased]. It seems my honesty and passion have won them over.

Let me think a little," I tell them, trying to keep my voice steady. "I'd like to show this to my mom first."

"And I also have to complete the thesis," I add, feeling the weight of my promise to myself.

Anushka nods, her smile understanding. "Take your time," she says, placing a comforting hand on my arm. "And when you're ready, please have your parents review the contract. We'd like to involve them in the discussion, especially since it involves money."

"Sure," I agree, feeling a bit overwhelmed by their faith in me. "Thanks for being patient."

As we stand up to leave, she presses a business card into my hand. "Please call me here, after you decide."

The card feels solid, a tangible connection to a world that was once only a dream. "I will," I promise, tucking it into my pocket.

As we step out of the cafe, the noise of the city envelops us again. Abhi grabs my arm, his eyes wide. "Bro, how can you talk so fast in English?" he asks. "And what's all this about?"

"They offered me 30,000 for my thesis," I say, trying to keep the excitement out of my voice.

"What? Awesome!" Abhi exclaims, his eyes lighting up.

Inwardly, I cringe, knowing that I haven't even told him about the potential millions from the lottery. "But let's keep it a secret for now," I add quickly. "I don't want to get ahead of myself."

He nods, his expression filled with admiration. "I knew you were special," he says, his voice filled with pride. "But this... this is something else."

The status window flickers again, [Interpersonal Skill Increased]. It seems that even in the face of such a life-changing opportunity, my bond with Abhi remains strong.

We start walking home, the sun setting behind us. "What do you think, Abhi?" I ask, feeling the weight of the decision.

"I think we're going to be rich," he says, his voice filled with a childlike wonder that I haven't heard in a long time.

I laugh, the sound echoing through the streets. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves," I say, ruffling his hair. "But it's definitely a good start."