Arav's POV:

I don't remember how much time had passed since I was in the same spot but when I heard the loud sound of music playing outside, I knew I hadn't moved an inch. A sigh escaped my lips.

When I looked at the artwork of my hands, there wasn't much flow which was good. I quickly got up which made me feel dizzy, making me hold the cloth hanger. I wonder why I held on to life either ways...

I gulped and made my way to my room with a towel wrapped around me to see that the door was still closed. Upon quick observation, nothing was out of place. Did someone come in?

The music was louder by the minute so I decided to the windows but that's when the song changed and the lyrics caught my attention.

Toota toota ek parinda aise toota
Ke phir jud naa paaya
Loota loota kisne usko aise loota
Ke phir ud naa paaya

It somehow seemed to speak to me, to tell me of the bird that had lost its wings and couldn't fly anymore. That's how my life had become, hadn't it? But just when I thought this was a song of desolation, Kailash Kher surprises me with hope, a hope I don't feel yet.

Girta hua woh asma se
Aakar gira zameen par
Khwabon mein phir bhi badal hi the
Woh kehta raha magar
Ke allah ke bande hasde allah ke bande
Allah ke bande hasde jo bhi ho kal phir aayega

Something about those lines enchanted me, though I did not want to believe or did not want to admit to just yet. Could I fly too? High in the sky, free from the shackles of my pain and misery? I really wanted to believe it but I couldn't, not yet. I didn't want to believe there was hope but here are my friends trying to fight for me, even when I know it'd be a losing battle.

"Are you sleeping in there?!" My mom's voice cut through my train of thought and I face-palmed myself—I still hadn't dressed up and here I was, dreaming about life and hope. The reality isn't going to twist itself and become better just because of my daydreaming. Another exhausted sigh escaped my lips as I picked out an orange tee and navy blue pajamas to wear.

"I'm coming, mom!" I responded as I got out of the room.

Crimson. Her eyes were red from crying or stress or a bit of both. A tug of guilt held me by the throat. I would always be a disappointment to them and I have no hopes for the future.

Tukde tuke ho gaya tha har sapna jab woh toota
Tukde tuke ho gaya tha aa aaa aa
Tukde tuke ho gaya tha har sapna jab woh toota
Bhikre tukdon mein allah ki marzi ka manzar paayega

I heard the few bits of music and pondered: Maybe. But the battle was far from over. Maybe there was still hope in this maddening darkness around me.

Third Person POV:

Another startup funded by QuanDatum!

The headlines of Ahmedabad Plus newspaper read. The product at hand was a cloud interface that would allow people to store and access their data from about anywhere. Cloud technology wasn't new, but it was definitely an emerging technology. Hit the hammer when it's hot they say, and so Rotarix did.

As a PAAS (Platform as a Service) seller, they could easily convert local data to cloud data and getting approval from a renowned company like QD, they're only going to get ahead from here.

Rotarix's team was thrilled at the opportunity. One after the other, multiple companies—small and large began to pitch their investments for a better future. Cloud systems usually cost a lot but they proved that success was possible and with hard work and dedication, you could achieve great things. Meetings were held, contracts were signed, and soon Rotarix found themselves flooded with opportunities.

The team leads—Suraj Parekh and Harshad Jadeja were beyond happy at the idea of QD's interest and funding. They knew that it was a once in a lifetime opportunity and if they made this a success, they could reach greater heights.

They met up with their team of seven members and hosted a party. Everyone was hyped up about this milestone, yet you could tell that not everyone was happy about the situation.

"Riya!" Kashish called out to her colleague in the midst of the loud crowd.

Riya noticed and excitedly walked over to where Kashish was. The music in the room was deafening so they chose a quiet corner to talk.

She tried to match the enthusiasm of her friend, masking away her own skepticism. "What's up, girl?"

Kashish, oblivious to her tone, answered chirpily, "I am so happy for us! We worked hours after hours, pulling extra hours and testing various codes... it's finally a dream come true!" She sipped her lime drink and waved her hands in the air in an attempt to dance. Her red glittery dress elegantly glowed in the multicolor light that washed the room.

Riya rolled her eyes, unable to help herself, "Not to ruin your celebratory mood, but I don't think this doesn't seem right."

Curious, Kashish inquired, "Why so?"

"Something just feels wrong about it, Kash... I don't know what it is, but it certainly doesn't feel all that good."

"And what makes you think that?"

"Why would a company like QD would invest in a startup like ours? It's not uncommon, I know. Countless donations, multiple fundings, global trips... it's almost the perfect image of the perfect company in people's eyes; raise one word against it and you wouldn't find any details the next day or even within a few hours. What is going on?"

Kashish contemplated for a moment and shrugged it off. "I understand your concerns but I am sure a company as successful as QD has their ways. Besides, they're not keeping to themselves, are they? They are helping others, society, and so many companies. You know what you need? A good drink. Come on, let me get you the tropical watermelon you've been eyeing for a while.

Riya tried to protest but caved in to her colleague's plan. Maybe she was overthinking and QD made its way up from shambles like it claimed it did. But try as she might, she couldn't shake off the feeling of restlessness gnawing at her gut.

Back at QD, the team members celebrated as well, but not in the cheerful way one would assume. It was more muted—just users with badge numbers that moved in robotic motions. When they were all called for a group photo, everyone forced a smile and posed; if only the viewers could see the blood seeping through the gums.

After the photography session, there was a small break. This was the only time they could be normal or feel human, though a lot of it seems to have buried under the debris.

User 707 sighed and turned to their friend and anchor, User 711. "Another startup, another target. What are their plans this time?"

User 711 gestured User 707 to lower their voice and whispered, "Shh. They could hear you if you're not careful enough. We don't know about their plans yet but it sure means extra work for us."

User 707 looked up at the muted gray ceiling and muttered something under their breath. It was almost like a plea or a prayer, but they knew it wasn't going to work. Their contract hadn't ended yet and it was only four years since their arrival. "Be honest with me, R. Did you know about the ins and out before joining here?"

User 711 responded in a deflated tone. "I don't know, R. I looked up to this company ever since I was younger. I mean, look at their reputation. Who wouldn't want to work in a company that promised paradise? Now that I am here... I don't know what I am doing with my life anymore."

"I agree," User 707 said. "That's the reason I agreed to work with you—it was trying to rise out of shambles. It was heroic, almost... if only it stayed that way."

Meanwhile, across another end of the room, a phone call was made. Reporting managers here were never constant but if there was one person who was always constant, it was Mr. Ravi Sharma, the unofficial CEO of QD since Mr. Patel.

"I owe it to you, Mr. Rathod! The plan worked, everyone's distracted and no one will remember the mishap!" Mr. Ravi enthusiastically said to Mr. Rathod, the CEO of Horizon Solutions.

Mr. Rathod matched his enthusiasm. "It's all about business stakes, Ravi. You're learning the cards well. Keep going and you'll soon be where you want to be."

"True, if it wasn't for you who helped me when QD went bankrupt... I have no idea where I'd be."

"Don't underestimate your own skills. I've got some errands, but you keep well. Bye."

With a click, the call ended and Mr. Ravi beamed at his success and the history he has been able to achieve, despite the initial skepticism. Little did he know of the tornado that was coming his way. It was about to turn everything upside down.

❛Above all—in the phrases and expressions of the dead on the lips of the loved and the living, I found food for consuming thought and horror—for a worm that would not die.❜
— Edgar Allan Poe

•• ━━━━━ ••●•• ━━━━━ ••

Songs in the chapter:

🎵 Allah ke Bande by Kailash Kher

•• ━━━━━ ••●•• ━━━━━ ••

a/n: after the longest time, i could finally write a chapter so YAY! so, if you remember the "Labyrinth of Deceit", i hint at QD's downfall and how Mr. Rathod helped Mr. Ravi get it back up. This is just an extension of the idea. I'm not too sure how much details about it is going to be there but... we will know, soon. very soon. 😉

Hope you enjoyed the chapter, comment your thoughts below!