The next morning at the office, the atmosphere buzzed with urgency. Piya was at her desk, carefully arranging files when Mr. Rao, her manager, strode in with his usual no-nonsense expression.
"Piya," he called.
She jumped slightly, clutching the pen in her hand like it was a lifeline. "Y-yes, sir?"
"You're aware about the CEO's upcoming business trip?" he asked, flipping through papers.
"I heard something about it yesterday in the meeting, sir."
"Good. I've decided you'll be accompanying me. It's a one-week trip. I'll need your support with documentation and presentation prep. This will be valuable experience for you."
Piya froze, words stuck in her throat. "M-me? On the... trip?"
Mr. Rao looked at her over his glasses. "Yes, you. Why do you look like I've handed you a death sentence? You should be glad. But..." his tone grew firm, "remember this: Mr. Asher will be there. Do not create trouble. Do your work quietly. Understood?"
"Yes, sir..." she whispered, though her insides were screaming.
Why? Why is fate so cruel? Why does it always push me right in front of him when all I want is to stay invisible?!
Later, when she met Asha in the cafeteria, her friend nearly dropped her sandwich.
"What?! You're going on the trip?! One whole week with the company elites?! And the CEO?!"
"Don't shout!" Piya hissed, covering her face.
"Girl, this is once in a lifetime luck!" Asha grinned. "Travel, five-star hotels, fancy dinners—do you realize what kind of opportunity this is?"
"Then you go!" Piya snapped desperately.
"I wasn't chosen, silly. You were." Asha wagged her finger. "Universe clearly has plans for you."
"Universe clearly hates me," Piya muttered, slumping on the table.
That evening, she broke the news at home.
Her mom froze with a ladle in her hand. "What did you just say?"
Piya sighed, sitting at the dining table. "I... I have to go on a business trip with my manager. For one week."
"One week?!" Her mom almost dropped the curry. "Alone?!"
"Not alone, Ma," Piya said quickly. "With the company team. But... it'll be my first time leaving home like this."
Her dad entered just then, setting his shop's ledger aside. "What's with all this yelling?"
"Your daughter is going away for one week! To some trip!" her mom exclaimed.
Her dad blinked, then slowly grinned. "Oh, ho! My little warrior is finally spreading her wings."
"Don't make it sound like I'm a bird, Dad," Piya groaned, burying her face in her hands. "I'm panicking here."
"Why panic?" he teased, ruffling her hair. "The company will take care of everything, right?"
"Yes," she admitted reluctantly. "Flights, hotel, food, everything is handled."
"Then what's the problem?" he asked innocently.
"The problem is I'll be surrounded by strangers... big business people... important deals... and the CEO."
Her dad raised his eyebrows mischievously. "Ah, so this is about the great CEO."
"No!" Piya's face turned bright red. "It's about me embarrassing myself in front of the great CEO!"
Her dad laughed so loudly even her mom cracked a smile. "Don't worry. Just remember what I always tell you—" He puffed his chest. "You're the most beautiful, smartest girl in the room. Even if that CEO frowns at you, you just frown back twice as hard."
"Papa!" Piya squealed, hiding her face.
"Okay, okay." He chuckled. "But seriously, this is big, Piya. You can't refuse. Take it as a challenge."
Her mom placed the curry on the table, still worried. "At least eat well and take care of yourself. Don't skip meals. And call us every night."
"I will, Ma," Piya said softly, her heart tight with nerves.
After dinner, she dragged out her small suitcase. Just the sight of it made her stomach twist.
"Packing..." she mumbled, sitting on the floor, staring at her clothes. "Where do I even start? What if I forget something? What if my hair dryer explodes in the hotel? What if I look too plain next to all those glamorous employees?"
She overthought every tiny thing, folding and unfolding her clothes three times before stuffing them into the suitcase.
Finally, she collapsed on her bed, staring at the ceiling. Her heart thumped wildly. Tomorrow at 6:00 AM, her life would once again be thrown into chaos.
"Mr. Moon..." she whispered to the sky outside her window. "Why does every path I take somehow lead me to him?"
The moon remained silent, shining down as though it already knew the answer.