After their intense discussion about the legal battle, Abhimanyu revealed a side that took the group by surprise. He declared that he would take on their case, but not without a condition. Abhimanyu's proposition was straightforward: in exchange for his legal services, he wanted a portion of their startup company's shares when they eventually launched their app. This unexpected twist in the negotiation shed light on Abhimanyu's cunning and strategic nature, and it showed that he was more of a sly fox than a straightforward lawyer.
Karthik, who had sensed Abhimanyu's intentions from the start, wasn't taken aback by this move. Abhinav, being the mature and understanding individual that he was, refrained from anger and accepted the reality of the situation. He knew that Abhimanyu's sharp business acumen had played a pivotal role in his success as a lawyer.
Ayesha, on the other hand, felt a tinge of disappointment with her brother. She had hoped that, for the sake of her friends, he would put business aside, even if just this once. Anupriya, generally indifferent to most things and people, found herself irritated by this sudden turn of events
A heavy silence filled the room as Abhimanyu's demand lingered in the air. Abhinav, breaking the silence, couldn't help but ask Abhimanyu the pressing question on everyone's mind. His tone was a mix of curiosity and a touch of skepticism as he questioned Abhimanyu's motives.
Abhinav: "Are you asking for a share because you believe we're so financially strained that we can't afford to pay your fees?"or you are really interested in our startup
Abhimanyu, with a certain level of candidness, admitted, "Both."
Karthik, who had grown increasingly irritated by the perceived insult, swiftly brought out a check and began to sign it. He was ready to move past the issue, eager to resolve the matter and get on with the legal battle. However, Abhinav intervened, placing a hand on Karthik's to pause his actions.
"We've decided to split the expenses in half," Abhinav announced, his tone cool and calculated. He then turned his gaze directly toward Abhimanyu and continued, "Mr. Abhimanyu Sharma, my half of the fees will be paid in the form of shares in our startup, while Karthik's half will be settled with money. Do you agree to this arrangement?"
Abhimanyu, though not entirely content with the arrangement, begrudgingly relented. He realized that the decision was, in part, a testament to Abhinav's protective instincts for his younger sister, Ayesha. Abhimanyu had a soft spot for Ayesha as well, and he was willing to let the matter slide for her sake.
However, his arrogance had not gone unnoticed by Karthik. The underlying tension between the two was palpable, and Abhimanyu's presumptuous attitude continued to irk Karthik. It was a reminder that their partnership, born out of necessity, was bound to be a complex and intricate dance of personalities and motivations as they navigated the legal battle together.
Karthik, battling his inner conflict, handed over the check to Abhimanyu, intentionally leaving the amount at half the fees. He had genuinely wished to cover the entire cost but had held back to protect Abhinav's self-esteem. His distaste for the situation was visible on his face.
Abhimanyu: (smirking) it nice doing business with you guys
Abhimanyu, wearing a smirk, acknowledged Karthik's act. It was apparent that he relished getting under Karthik's skin. Abhinav, however, recognized the potential for things to take a negative turn if they lingered, so he calmly responded, "Same here."
As the group prepared to part ways, Ayesha and Anupriya shared a hug, bidding each other farewell. The rest of the group exchanged their goodbyes and left the coffee shop. Before departing, Anupriya gave a subtle side-eye glance to Abhimanyu, a gesture that piqued his interest. He had always seen her as a polite person, but this glimpse of her other side left him intrigued, sparking a newfound curiosity about Anupriya. The dynamics within the group were becoming increasingly complex, hinting at the intricacies yet to unfold in their journey together.