"Come out, I need to talk to you," Meera said as she pulled Ajay straight to the office terrace.
"Stay quiet and don't even think about it." Ajay interrupted her before she could speak.
"At least hear me out."
"Absolutely not, Meera. That's it. He's trying to provoke you. Why can't you understand? Will you go against your own father for a petty job?" Ajay said sternly.
Meera kept staring at him, as if for the first time in all these years, she couldn't recognize the man standing before her. She had always believed that, of all people, Ajay understood her the most. But maybe she was wrong.
"A petty job? Do you really think this is about just a job? Don't you know how hard I've tried to live life on my own terms? I never even wanted to join the business. I liked the education field, but he pushed me into business, I agreed. I always wanted to work for orphans, to give them education. He asked me to donate food - I did. I wanted to put books in their hands, not a ready plate of food. Still, I did as they said. Fine. I couldn't do much for others, but can't I do something for myself for once? Is that so wrong?
And why would he provoke me against my father? What does he gain from that? Is he my father's enemy? Does he enjoy creating rifts in our family?"
Meera looked at Ajay, waiting.
"You know how many people crave the life you're questioning? You've been raised in a lavish bungalow, given everything you never asked for - food, books, even cars to travel in. He fulfilled every wish of yours. And all you see are a few restrictions? He must have had a reason for doing what he did. He wanted to protect you from the world, which is not as kind as you think, Meera."
Meera looked at him with a composed yet firm expression.
"I'm grateful - to my God - for giving me a father like him. I know he is trying to protect me. I am a grown up enough to understand the thin line between innocence and stupidity. This time, I need to do something for me. For the first time, looking at you today, I feel like I don't even know you. If you can't stand by me, it's okay. I will stand for myself. Thank you for your time."
Saying that, she turned and walked back into the cabin.
---
As soon as Meera walked out of the cabin:
"What's his problem with me?" Swapnil said to Sameer. "I'm only trying to help her."
"I'm confused too. Ajay has never behaved like this before. I've known him for years," Sameer replied.
"Look, if Meera weren't in trouble right now, I would've fired him on the spot. No matter the situation, he shouldn't forget that I'm his senior." Swapnil said.
"Stay calm. I'll talk to him. Let's deal with this situation first." Sameer said.
Both their eyes stayed fixed on the cabin door.
---
Ajay went straight to Aarti afterward. The two sat by the seashore as Ajay explained everything that had happened in the office.
"Now you tell me - was I wrong?" he asked Aarti.
"Who said you were wrong?" Aarti replied gently.
"Then why can't Meera understand? Aarti, I want you to talk to her. She sees me as the enemy now, and she's starting to trust people who just entered her life yesterday."
"I said you're not wrong - but that doesn't mean Meera is wrong either."
As expected, Aarti was one of those rare women who were deeply wise and grounded.
"What do you mean? How can we both be right?"
"Why not?" Aarti took his hand in hers. "Look at this," she gestured to her palms. "You and I - we're both human. We both have lines on our hands. Yours are different from mine. Does that make yours true and mine false?"
Ajay pulled his hand back. "What kind of logic is this? Of course our palm lines are different - we're different people. Truth or falsehood doesn't apply here."
"That's exactly my point. You and Meera are two different people. So it's natural your thoughts differ. You believe that what you and uncle have decided for her is best. But even if she wants to take her own decisions - what's so wrong about that?"
"You're not getting it. She could've died in Andaman!" Ajay stood up, clearly agitated.
"But she didn't. She's perfectly fine. That means even when she was away from all of you, she managed to take care of herself. Didn't you say her phone was switched off for half the day? Everyone was worried. But she handled it on her own. She wasn't scared - not even when there was no one around to protect her." Aarti reasoned.
"It's not Meera who needs to understand. It's you. She wants to stand on her own feet now. You and uncle should let her make her own decisions.
Now think - what if the same had happened in your house? What if your father tried to make your life decisions for you? What if he disapproved of our relationship and tried to marry you off to someone else? Would you let him make that decision for you?"
"What kind of question is that? I've already told you - I only love you and I will only marry you," Ajay replied.
"Exactly. That's what I'm trying to say. Just as your decision is your decision - Meera's choices can't be labeled as rebellion."
Ajay looked at her. She was right. He knew Meera's dreams. And still, he tried to hold her back today?
"Maybe you're right. I've let her down today. She must've felt awful."
He hugged Aarti.
"Meera's a smart girl. She'll understand your concern. Just give her some time." Aarti said, trying to comfort him.
---
Swapnil noticed the sadness on her face when Meera came back into the cabin. But he chose not to ask right away.
"What have you decided, Meera?"
"Can you hold back my resignation, sir? Please? I'll handle everything on my own going forward." Meera said.
"But I want to help....."
"I know. But this time, I want to help myself."
"But…"
"Please try to understand. If I fail, I will come to you. I promise. Just give me some time." Meera said.
Swapnil looked at her for a moment. He knew Meera was brave. She'd find a way. And if not - he'd be right here for her.
"Alright. Take as much time as you need. And if nothing works out… just turn around once - I'll be right here. Always. For you."
Meera looked into Swapnil's eyes. She saw confidence - like he was proud of something she said.
The friend she had known since childhood now stood against her dreams - siding with her father.
But the man she had only recently met… now stood beside her - for her dreams.
Do relationships really change like this? She didn't know.
But maybe, she would - someday.
---
Perhaps - that very word carries a glimmer of hope.
And it is upon hope that this world rests.