Arvind reached the client’s site just in time with his small team of two young developers. Mr. Subramanium accompanied him too.

“Arvind, we have to crack the deal anyhow. It is a big project after all.” Mr. Subramanium whispered in Arvind’s ear.

Arvind just nodded, hiding all his nervousness within. He knew he had to crack the deal.  A bootstrapped company cannot afford to lose a single opportunity after all!  He wanted to make the best first impression. Dressed in a turquoise blue shirt, he seemed elegantly professional & ready to take on.

“I hope you did not have any trouble locating us. Please be seated in the conference Hall.  Ma’am will be joining us shortly. The HR of the company welcomed them.

Revathy Reddy, Managing Director of Mental Health Plus Company,   dressed in a black saree with a high-neck full sleeves blouse, entered the room.  Her curly hair was flying in the air as if defying every other obstacle.  Behind her was a dashing young man carrying his iPad in his hands.

“Hello Mr, Arvind! Though we have spoken a couple of times, it is nice meeting you in person today.”

Pleasure meeting you, Ms Revathy! You are a trailblazer, I must say! And I am deeply touched by your passion toward the mental health of young children & especially teenagers.  This is indeed a sensitive topic.

“Yes, Arvind, the reason why I am scared to launch this app. But I know we cannot do without technology & Ashwin, my CTO, insisted that we have a meeting with you.” She said as she pointed her finger towards the man with the iPad.

Arvind looked at Ashwin & paused for a moment.

 Ashwin held his hand out for a handshake with Arvind. And they shook their hands.

“Well, Mr. Arvind, we have heard about your struggles to set up this firm of yours, and what really touched us is your personal touch in every project that you take up.  We want the same because nothing can be AI-driven with this kind of sensitivity.” Ashwin said.

Arvind looked at Revathy and said,” It isn’t going to be just another project for me. I assure you, my team of developers will personally be involved in each and every request that we get on the App. I have the business module & Mr. Subramanium will present it for better understanding.

  Radhika smiled & nodded.

                                                                    *********

Arvind entered his cabin & dialled the intercom. “Send in Deepa, pls,” he said.

 Deepa entered his cabin.

“No Email, no message yet from the team, Arvind! It’s been more than a fortnight.  Did you… by any chance screw up?” Deepa said before being asked any question.

“What? What did you say? I screwed up? Do you know I can fire you right now for this?”

“But you won’t. Because if I leave, I do not know if you will ever be in any meeting on time. “

Just then, Mr. Subramanium entered the room.

“Arvind, Ashwin just called & it’s good news.  They have decided to go with us. They said they had received an Email every day from us & thought such promptness & eagerness is what they want, as it can, in fact, help them become a renowned niche name in the Children’s Mental Health Space in the market. Deepa has really been diligent in her follow-up.”

Arvind looked at Deepa, who was smiling. In times like this, Arvind wondered if Deepa was really the owner of the start-up. ‘Damn the crazy Gen Zs,’ he thought to himself.

Glossary:

AI- Artificial Intelligence

CTO- Chief Technical Officer

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Disclaimer: All the names & events in this are fictitious & any resemblance to any person or incident is purely Coincidental

Love,

Chinmayee

This post is a part of Blogchatter Half Marathon 2025