It is ninth anniversary of my global detective firm. Neha has proved to be a great partner. I still remember the day the idea of forming this company conceived in our minds.

That day, Neha walks through the bustling Virginia university campus, lost in thought, when suddenly, she feels a gentle collision. Startled, she looks up to see who she has accidentally bumped into, and it's me.

"Oops, I'm so sorry!" she exclaims, her deep brown eyes filled with genuine concern. "I should have been more careful."

"I am sorry, I was in a hurry", I said. "Somebody just told me about a winding staircase that goes nowhere at the extreme end of this campus. I was rushing there just out of curiosity."

I notice a mischievous glint in Neha's eye as she listens to my story about the mysterious staircase. "Oh, really? That sounds fascinating! The unknown always intrigues me," she admits with a wide smile, revealing her pearly whites. "If you wouldn't mind showing me the way, I would love to check it out."

As we walk alongside each other towards the elusive staircase, Neha begins asking questions about myself – my interests, my studies, and even what makes me laugh. She exhibits a genuine interest in getting to know me better, laughing heartily at my jokes and sharing personal stories of her own along the way.

Eventually, we arrive at...