‘Why?’ I demand, pretending confusion. I obviously know that I’m asking a founder to play with their creation.

‘Because I can’t lie to AILENA or manipulate her algorithms. It isn’t good for my company’s value system either. But thank you once again!’ she says.

We shake hands and she starts to move away.

She’s barely taken five steps when I call her once again, ‘Asmitha!’

She turns back. ‘Did I forget something?’ She checks for her phone in her handbag.

‘No, but I forgot to hand over the cheque I’d written for you back in the auditorium!’ I smile.

Her face lights up as she walks back to me and takes the cheque. ‘But it isn’t signed!’ she exclaims.

‘You impressed me with your conviction, Asmitha. But I’ll only sign that cheque after my firm does the due diligence of your company,’ I clarify.

‘Thank you! Oh my God! I can’t believe this. I thought I’d just lost the whole deal.’ She shivers with excitement as she speaks.

‘Well, good luck! Let’s schedule a meeting sometime soon,’ I suggest.

‘By the way, you can try your luck with the beta test tomorrow. All you have to do is sign up via a social media account.’

‘I don’t need that! I’ll probably get married by the end of this year,’ I tell her. ‘I was just trying to test you! For me, a founder’s value system holds more importance than anything else. Anyway, see you soon!’

Her quick departure reminds me that I have to rush to the airport as well.

I run back to my car. ‘Paaji, airport,’ I direct Veeru Uncle the minute I get in.

‘Ok, veere!’ he says cheerfully.

The rain had stopped a while ago and the clouds had made way for a bright, sunny afternoon. As I gaze down at the city from my window seat in the plane a little later, the view is crisp and the colours vivid. It’s almost as if I’m looking at things through the best filter that has ever existed in the history of mankind—when the rains have washed everything clean and everything sparkles with high-definition clarity.

I quite like flying to Dubai because it’s not a very long flight from Delhi, unlike those to the Americas or Australia, which take a toll on my body. Being jet-lagged isn’t my thing and I’m becoming more and more of a homebody as I inch towards hitting my thirties.

In fact, I’m a bit like those oldies who play golf all day long—only, the sport I actually enjoy playing the most these days is betting on new ventures. Before this, I liked cycling, then it was playing football, and finally, speeding my car. Now, the thrill of investing gives me a dopamine kick, and I’m off to Dubai to have some new adventures!