It was a bright Sunday morning.

A morning that makes you feel - Today is your day.

As the gentle ray's of sunlight fell on Raymond's face, we woke up.

He got up from his bed and went straight to his study and then picking up the picture of his mother and said,

"If you are seeing me right now, then you know how important this is for me. Stay with me today mom. Be my strength for I can't fight dad alone".

Saying that he kissed the picture and then looked at his mother for a couple of seconds before keeping it back.

It was time to get ready.

Raymond's support crew had already reached Barclay's Center to set up their advertising unit and Akira was on her way to Raymond's place to start together for the event.

He fixed his shirt and tied the laces of his oxfords and just then he heard the doorbell ring. He knew it was her.

Raymond immediately picked up all his stuff and went towards the door to leave along with Akira.

But she stopped him and came inside the house.

"What are you doing Akira? Aren't we supposed to leave right now?"

"Remove your shoes".

"What?"

"Just do as I say, please. It's important to me".

Raymond removed his shoes and stood in front of her.

First, she took out the small pouch of sacred vermillion from her bag and placed a small dot of it on his head and said,

"This will protect you from everything evil. Nothing will touch you, so don't be afraid. Just give your best today".

Then she took out another container which had a bit of yogurt and sugar mixed in it.

"Oops, I forgot to get a spoon", saying that she ran to his kitchen to get one.

Then giving him a spoonful of that mix she said,

"This will bring you all the luck that you need", saying that she stood on her toes and kissed lightly on his cheeks and said,

"Now we can go. I am ready".

He cupped her face in his hand and said,

"I need to buy a vowel to tell you how much I love you".

"As I said, win it for me. No need to buy a vowel", then with a smile on her face she said,

"Mike is waiting. Let's go".

---

After reaching Barclay's center, they rushed to their booth as Raymond wanted to cross check each and every arrangement.

"How is the demo coming up Simon?"

"Coming up good boss", Simon said and turned towards him but his eyes were distracted to see that Vermillion mark.

"Um.. you got something on your forehead".

"Yeah, that's for protection !!!", Raymond said and smiled.

Then he said,

"I need a second display system connected to my laptop and place a connection switcher with my system. I need an override enabled. Pronto".

Kirk was surprised to hear his boss's demands but he acted fast to set it up.

Once it was Live, Raymond texted David,

"It's a go from the booth-side".

The entire team of Delphie was busy, making sure everything was ok and glitch free. There were only forty mins remaining on the clock before the event was to start and just 80 minutes to go live. It was true that it was Raymond's dream to win it big, but it was the dream of every single person at Delphie to make Raymond's dream come true. They all fought together as a team, trying to be ready to turn every single possible stone in their way.

But then five minutes later Vikram arrived at the venue and went straight to Delphie's booth.

Everyone was busy working so hard that no one took notice of him when he arrived.

So looking at Raymond he said,

"So how is my ace man doing today?"

Hearing his voice Raymond turned and he could see evil lurking beneath that gentle face of his.

"Just trying to drain my last drop of blood over here", Raymond said and smiled back.

But then suddenly the smile on Vikram's face was wiped away as Raymond turned to face him.

He saw the vermillion on Raymond's face and he knew that it was Akira who must have put it on him. Even though this was insignificant right now, he somehow felt like his insides were getting ripped. It was hard for him to believe that she would start sharing the customs which were so close to her heart with Raymond. It was hard for him to believe that he had already become the one and only in her life.

Drinking that bitter sip of insult, Vikram tried to force a fake smile on his face and extended his hand towards Raymond and said,

"May the best man win".

But before Raymond could even reply, Akira barged in and said,

"Why Vikram?"

Then looking at Raymond she extended her hand and shook with him instead and whispered,

"May MY best man win !!!".