Ravi returned to the office after his two-day leave, eager to catch up with his friend Raj and see how things had been going. As he walked through the familiar hallways, he heard whispers and saw concerned faces. A few colleagues filled him in on the latest developments: Mahesh, using his influence, had been relentlessly bullying Raj and now even the office boy, Arjun. Anger flared within Ravi as he learned that Mahesh and his team had been making Arjun perform humiliating tasks—dancing and acting like a dog—while they laughed and jeered.
Determined to put an end to this, Ravi marched straight to the separate project room where Mahesh and his team were gathered. Throwing open the door, Ravi saw Arjun in the middle of the room, awkwardly dancing while the others watched with amusement. Mahesh lounged in his chair, a smug grin on his face.
“What’s going on here?” Ravi demanded, his voice shaking with barely controlled rage.
Mahesh looked up lazily, his grin widening. “Ah, Ravi. Just in time for the show. Arjun here is quite the entertainer, don’t you think?”
Arjun, red-faced and near tears, stopped dancing and looked pleadingly at Ravi. Ravi stepped forward, his fists clenched. “This stops now. You can’t treat people like this.”
Mahesh’s demeanor shifted to one of cold authority. “Watch your tone, Ravi. Remember who you’re talking to. If you don’t like how things are run here, you might find yourself out of a job.”
Ravi hesitated, feeling the weight of Mahesh’s threat. He glanced around the room, noting the uncomfortable expressions on the faces of Mahesh’s team. Suddenly, he had an idea. He pulled out his phone and pretended to check a message. He then looked up, his expression softer.
“Mahesh,” Ravi said, feigning contrition, “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize the power you hold. I apologize for my outburst.”
Mahesh’s smirk returned, triumphant. “That’s more like it. Now, if you want to stay in this company, you’ll join Arjun and show us how a dog barks.”
Ravi nodded, his face neutral. “Of course,” he said, stepping towards Arjun. But then he stopped and turned back to Mahesh, a smile spreading across his face. “Actually, Mahesh, it’s you who will be doing the barking.”
Mahesh’s smirk faltered. “What are you talking about?”
Ravi held up his phone, showing the screen. “I’ve been recording everything. Every word you said has been sent to a friend outside the office. They’ve just forwarded it all to the CEO and the entire company via email.”
The room fell into shocked silence. Mahesh’s team members exchanged horrified glances, and Arjun looked up at Ravi with renewed hope. A few minutes later, the door swung open, and CEO Neha entered, her expression stern. She made Mahesh and Ravi sit down together and listened as Ravi recounted the events. The recording played, echoing Mahesh’s cruel words and the team’s laughter. Neha’s face was set in a mask of anger as she turned to Mahesh.
“Mahesh, your behavior is unacceptable. I cannot allow this kind of conduct in my company, no matter who you are.”
Mahesh’s confidence crumbled. “But Neha, I-“
Neha cut him off. “Enough. Ravi, you’ll take over Mahesh’s project. Mahesh, you’re fired, effective immediately. Pack your things and leave.”
Ravi nodded, feeling a weight lift off his shoulders. Mahesh slumped in his chair, defeated as Neha escorted him out. As the office buzzed with the news, Ravi turned to Arjun and Raj, who had been watching from the doorway.
“It’s over. You’re safe now.” Arjun smiled through his tears, and Raj clapped Ravi on the shoulder. “Thanks, man. You really came through for us.”
Ravi smiled back. “We stand up for each other here. That’s how it should be.”
The office returned to its usual hum, but the atmosphere was lighter, more hopeful. Ravi took his place at Mahesh’s old desk, ready to lead the project with the respect and dignity that every team member deserved.