Almost the perfect three

If things have the correct impact on people, they could be the best be the greatest in the world. It all depends on the choice we make if we want to take into our stride or let it spoil our stride. This is the story of a boy named Rahul.

As a young boy, Rahul loved school, he would look forward to going and always put his entire effort and self into it. slowly as Rahul went on to higher grades he stopped liking school so much, almost despising every moment of it.

As Rahul grew older he drifted away from friends and started spending more and more time working and improving himself, in terms of many things skill, brain, intelligence. Alone time made him focus his energy in a much better manner and develop himself. Looking at everything as an opportunity to succeed. This allowed, for one thing, he set everything up for himself. He knew his future would be bright.

He finished school with the best of grades at the top of his class but not with e best teacher to student relations this is because they did not like the fact that he argued and questioned everything. But after that he was ready for college, he applied only to the best ivy league schools never expecting less. And of course, the acceptances came flooding in. Finally, he choose Stanford. Inside he felt as if he was on his path to excellence.

At Stanford, Rahul had two roommates, a Lebanese bloke named Rafiq studying IT and a European guy named Stephen studying design. Himself he chooses to do finance and accounting looking to work in investments or go further into law. Their courses were so different, yet their personalities were actually quite similar, they lived in very similar ways. With the same habits, and the same perspective on a lot of things.

It was as if he’d plan and synchronize everything they would do. They walked at the same speed, woke up at the same time, their eating preferences were very similar, at times they’d go to a restaurant and order to exact same meal for each of them without realising. Each of them felt amazed to have finally found friends who they can relate to and understand entirely, along with having positive influences on each other. They could be open with each other and discuss absolutely anything in the world. While those around them would party, they would sit in their room and ideate, they’d think of ways they could make a difference, innovate.

They’d call it “planning our dropout” and to their amusement others laughed at them but they did not care. That is what Rahul loved the most about them as a group of friends. They would help and support each other in so many ways. Even though their disciplines were different, they would always discuss all of their work with each other allowing a new perspective on everything. They were the highest contenders on the dean's list.

One night they were planning out one of their ideas and it hit them very hard. They realised this was what the world needed. every single corporate firm in the world required data analysis and processes, A data judgment software that takes data and process it making it understandable immediately would make companies crazy saving them money and time reducing the requirement of r endless data scientists.

So, they began saving up to drop out they did any job they could. Freelances on every platform. Worked in fast food Restaurants. Rahul got heavy into day trading trying to make some quick money. Rafiq worked side by side for a blockchain company. While Stephen freelanced web design. They bought a five-bedroom house with that money. Put two extra for rent and finally put they would drop out.

They moved out of their dorm and into the apartment which Rahul owned under his name real-estate was another side hustle he wanted to keep up. It was the base that three were going o use for beginning their company.

They planned everything out they would repeat their schedule every day, every week until they had reached their goal, every day they’d wake up at 5 am and go to the gym, it was their way of keeping themselves sane, Rahul had started this at a very young age. After that, they’d either work part-time or freelance and of course then help build the program, this pattern of days went on for days longer than you can imagine. At times their forget meals and just continue working. The problem was that nobody was ready to invest in their project.

Every possible investor would use the phrase “the company will just die out in a bit”, “look for something else” or “maybe in the future.” They were sick and tired of these responses. Rafiq was frustrated and very angry since he had to do most of the actual writing of code. When they returned home from a meeting with the investors, Rafiq started a fight, he demanded that he gained control of the company and that it was not going to be joint ownership. Stepan was enraged by this reasoning and felt as if his creativity and design was not being given enough credit and importance that id served. Rahul also differed with Rafiq’s argument, because he was the one financing and supporting the company majorly.

The fight grew intense Stephen grabbed Rafiq by his shirt and said, “it’s not just you in this mess it's all of us.” Rahul disagreed and exclaimed “mess? This is a minor setback at best, we will get there!” A few more months went on and they continued to work night and ay then suddenly they got the email. 5 companies were willing to use their software and ay them 6 million a month of it. It was low but it was a start. Slowly but stably more and more companies began using their software.

The next thing they knew they were listed with an IPO of 20 billion dollars on their company they were 3 25-year-olds college dropout billionaires they did the dream. What everyone imagined was their reality. They were doing shoots for the 30 under 30 lists. They were giving talks; they were invited to celebrity parties. They would get recognised outside. people would ask them for advice and autographs. But the worst part was people started asking them for money. Which reminded them of the lack of understanding people had. And why they were only friends with each other.

As they gained this success they were more confused with themselves, as to what to do now? Since they reached the place they did not know where to go further, did they want to change their lifestyle and go all out buying expensive things or do they stay the way they are right now? Stephen thought it was time to fully upgrade his wardrobe and went on a shopping spree, not necessarily the best option which may come to mind. But Stephen was very happy about it, and Rahul did not want to take that away from him. But Stephen knew that they did not like him upgrading and changing things like this just because they had reached a certain stage.

It had been 2 years now and business was booming, they were a global superpower and barely had worked since the lower management did the essential requirement. This unstilled them as they were used to working day and night. They almost felt one thing they never wanted to feel satisfaction. It was terrible and fantastic for them at the same time. Rahul had been thinking possibly it was time for him to move on. To do something different. Stephen began thinking on the same lines to truly explore his design capabilities. Rafiq on the other hand was happy to work on developing their company. This became noticeable.

The next week they got an offer from the alphabet to purchase their company for a sum of 40 billion dollars. Entirely with nothing to their name. to Stephen and Rahul, this was almost a sigh of relief. A way to be able to get away and let go. But it did not make Rafiq happy. They got back home to their apartment. Yea they still lived in that shithole. Rafiq made it clear that he did not want to let go of the company, while the others try to convince him otherwise. They decided to give them a counteroffer, keep Rafiq in charge with a CEO position with at least 30% to his name while they own the rest.

Tomorrow they had a meeting with alphabet the next day and they agreed without a flinch owing to Rafiq being the mastermind behind the operation. Rahul and Stephen went their ways. Taking their billions into other businesses. Stephen trying to understand fashion and art in Paris, wanting to start a high fashion company. While Rahul looked to venture capitalism in London. So, they dismantled.

Rahul had one thing in mind, high risk, high reward. Doing a few hedge fund-like investments. Leading him to more and more wealth. He moved to London entirely at the penthouse in the shard. Well, that was a big switch was it not? Shared apartment to the best house in London. He opened up his portfolio investing in things he liked. This fulfilled him highly, sports. Microfinance, everything. It struck him a few days later “in something in consideration to how it impacts peoples lives.” So, he thought about what impacted him most, and which impact he wanted to improve most, he felt inside that he wanted to improve the impact schools had on children the most. But could never find the correct concept.

He had everything but could never fix what he felt broke him.