Sept 16–Sept 30, 2017
"Dinner in Lucknow"
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1. Arrival in Lucknow
The evening sun painted the narrow lanes of Hazratganj in a warm glow. MC sat in the backseat of a modest black SUV — no convoy, no fanfare. Just one vehicle, deliberately understated.
He had come under the pretense of reviewing a river-cleaning pilot project along the Gomti, but in truth, this trip was personal. For the first time in years, his heart raced not at the thought of a new invention, but at the quiet weight of family expectations.
Beside him, Aarya's voice came through the earpiece:
> Aarya: "Security perimeter clear. No unusual activity."
MC (whispering): "Good. Tonight isn't about power. It's about belonging."
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2. The Sharma Household
Ananya's family home stood in a leafy neighborhood near Indira Nagar. A two-story house, freshly whitewashed, with bougainvillea vines creeping across the gates.
Ananya herself greeted him at the door, her smile a mix of pride and nervousness.
> Ananya: "You made it on time. I told them you're punctual."
MC (half-smiling): "I can build tunnels under mountains, Ananya. I think I can manage Lucknow traffic."
Inside, her mother bustled in the kitchen while her father sat in the drawing room, newspaper folded neatly beside him. The air smelled of cardamom and ghee.
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3. The Father's Silent Evaluation
Dinner began with polite conversation — river-cleaning technology, the Gomti project, and how Saraswati Maps could aid in urban planning.
But beneath the words, MC felt the weight of Mr. Sharma's gaze. Every time he set down his spoon, the older man's eyes measured him, not for wealth or reputation, but for sincerity.
Finally, Mr. Sharma leaned forward.
> Mr. Sharma: "You run companies that employ lakhs, they say. Governments call you for advice. But tell me… can you sit here at this table, without the world at your back, and be just another man?"
The question struck deeper than any press interview.
MC paused, then answered quietly:
> MC: "At this table, I am only a son, sir. A son who owes everything to his parents' sacrifices. And if fate allows, perhaps one day, a son-in-law who will owe the same respect to yours."
For the first time that evening, Mr. Sharma's stern expression softened.
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4. Ananya's Mother
Later, in the kitchen, Mrs. Sharma handed MC a plate of kheer.
> Mrs. Sharma (softly): "She's our only daughter. We want her happy. Do you understand what that means?"
MC: "More than you know, aunty. I spend my life building for millions… but with her, I only wish to build a home."
The older woman smiled, and in her eyes, he saw quiet acceptance.
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5. Ananya's Room – A Private Moment
After dinner, Ananya showed him her study — shelves lined with river ecology books, pinned notes about water purification projects.
> Ananya: "Sometimes, I feel small compared to your world. You're out there changing everything, and I…"
MC (interrupting gently): "Ananya, every road my TBMs carve, every map I draw, every search query Saraswati answers — all of it is meaningless if it doesn't touch lives. You remind me why I began all this."
The room fell into silence, their unspoken bond thickening like the humid Lucknow night.
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6. Maya's Quiet Watch
Outside, in the SUV, Maya Iyer sat reviewing Saraswati Corp reports on her holo-screen. Though she was an android, her face reflected something close to pride.
> Maya (to herself): "He builds nations by day, yet trembles at a dinner table by night. That is what makes him human… and that is why they will follow him."
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7. Closing Scene
As MC left the Sharma home, Ananya's father stood at the gate. No handshake, no overt approval — just a nod. But in that nod was the first crack of acceptance.
Driving back, MC gazed out at Lucknow's quiet streets.
> MC (thinking): "I can outwit nations. I can build worlds. But tonight reminded me… some victories are won not in boardrooms, but in the hearts of families."
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