Part 65

Sham arrived at the office in the afternoon and had a meeting with Mr. Banerjee. The big boss Mr. Balwindar Singh was out of office for the meeting He had missed the chance to meet the boss and impress him. Sham was disappointed. He had plans to meet the owner of such a big group. 

 

They were in the middle of the discussion when Mr. Banerjee asked the office boy to call MS Gupta with the files, only to know that she had already left. He was surprised to know this. She had never left the office without his permission. He controlled the urge of calling her up to ask if everything is ok. He continued with the meeting.

*** **** **
Next day, during the meeting with "Cotton Corporation of India" Shondeep had a detailed technical discussion and presentation on the productivity issues and labour problems. He was thorough in Manufacturing processes and had no problem in addressing the technical queries raised by the officials. The meeting went on very well.

When it came to sham to make is presentation, the representative of the other competing company was also present. He was shocked to see the representative. He went out hurriedly trying to call someone. Shondeep looked on confused at Sham’s behavior. Sham came in wiping sweat from his forehead and requested the other company to start with the presentation first.

He needed some time to gather himself. He had never thought that he would face this situation. It was almost fighting and competing against himself. One of the board members of the competing company was Mr. Ratan Singh Thakur! His boss, in his other Endeavour. He tried calling Ratan Singh but call could not be through. He was in a fix. If he negotiates successfully, his boss, Ratan Singh will not forgive him and if he does not negotiate successfully, He would lose his position as CEO and all his other plans will go for a toss.

He wondered why, this Ratan Singh did not tell him about this. He suspected foul play in this entire game he had set up for Raizadas. He needed time to assimilate the situation. He did not pay attention to what the other person was talking.

‘A bird in hand is worth two in the bush! He made up his mind. He decided to play blind and not to leave whatever was in his hands right now. He did his level best to win this contract with his forceful oratory skills and combining figures to support his statement. Officials seemed to be impressed with his presentation.
Mr. Banerjee and Mr. Sham Zaa came out wiping the sweat from their forehead. They had done their best. The decision was pending. Mr. Banerjee requested Mr. Sham Zaa to go ahead to the hotel room as he has some other company work in Mumbai.

During his travel to Dadar, Mumbai, he called up his boss. He gave the factual account of the events. "Sir, I am surprised, why was he so nervous when he saw the opponent representative. The competing company is company from UP, with headquarters in Kanpur. They have no experience in spinning mill and textiles. But I feel this is only to buy this co operative at throw away price and then salvage its assets. I don't feel they are pitched in for running the company profitably" He gave his analysis to his boss.

"Ok. Shondeep, in that case it is good for us" Said papaji sounding satisfied. " The board members seem to be politicians, a local MLA is involved Mr. Ratan Singh and an industrialist Mr. Ranveer ... I think I know this Ranveer he was in US for some time and then ventured into his family business." Said Shondeep giving all the details. He hung up wondering why his boss sounded so happy with the situation.
Mr. Balwindar Singh had a broad smile on his face as he hung up. Things had started falling in place for him too. He dialed Arnav's number.

"Di, why did you execute the power of attorney in his name?" He asked his Di waiting for Panditji to arrive. "What? Why chote? Why are you asking me this?" she asked in surprise.

"No! I mean... can you not see how over worked jijaji looks? Handling so many things at a time?" He said looking away from his Di.

"Yes, Chote, I understand but you know, he loves me so much, he does not want me to take any trouble so he insisted I should execute the papers. I am thinking of transferring all my shares in his name. .. Whatever is mine is his too!" She said gazing dreamily. Hopelessness could only be the term for Arnav's situation.
The maid had brought in coffee for Arnav. She started helping in the preparations for pooja. Arnav did not object. Somehow after the cell phone incident he had stopped shouting at her.

"Di, Don't you feel, Jijaji stayed away from home for a longer duration last year? And now suddenly he is at home all the time!" He looked at his Di. But his Di did not feel anything unusual in this. She had not even thought about it.

"Di, please think before you transfer the shares and give all your finances in his hands. I saw your account statements and there are huge cash transactions every month. Lot of cash has been withdrawn from your bank. Di, please don't take it otherwise, but I am just worried about the utilization of this money. Order me if you want something for yourself. But withdrawing cash is a bit of a problem..,, Its difficult to account for later…! " He said softly.
"Oh! That! You know your Jijaji needs money to help his clients financially sometimes. He is so kindhearted…, he cannot see the plight of others and always ready to help others.
The maid had got up and was moving towards kitchen hurriedly. Arnav could hear a faint sob. He was puzzled.

Papaji called Arnav at night to give him the account of the meeting. "Arnav, puttar, things would move faster than our expectation. He had already started siphoning out the money. We have to be very careful. Do not sign any papers before talking to Raj. And Raj is attending Payal's marriage. Arnav, puttar! Be careful at home .. We have stepped on the snake, either we kill it or be ready for a bite." He said gravely.

"Yes, papaji! " Said Arnav, thinking hard on measures to stop oncoming trouble. He wanted to keep everyone else away from this. Their plans were working but one wrong step would throw them in quick sand. He had to be very careful. He scanned through his mails and Raj had written to him about the negotiations and his predictions about the outcome. He replied back and called up Khushi. Now a days, he just waited for a slightest opportunity to call her.

"Khushi..!" He called craving to meet her in person. "Yes Arnavji! She said in a heavy voice. The fasting had made her weak.
"What is it? Are you ok?" Arnav asked worriedly. "Yes, I am ok. Arnavji," she said. She had no intentions to tell him about her fasting. Papaji had already scolded her about her crazy idea of fasting. Arnav would whack her. But she was determined to perform penance for her deceitful act on Anjali.

"Arnavji, Lavanyaji is coming for the wedding. She has written me. I am so happy! I wanted to talk to her about...." She could not continue. Her heart ached remembering their last meeting at the doors of Raizada House.
"Khushi.." Arnav too was emotional remembering the same incidence.
"I am ok, Arnavji!" Khushi faked.
*** *** **
Arnav was free from his tied up hand and was all set to take on his activities in full swing. The things had progressed to their expectations. With several rounds of negotiations the order was passed finally for the acquisition in their favor. The taking over process would start soon. Everyone had congratulated Sham on his success. He looked smug and complacent. Arnav congratulated him many times. Raj had asked Arnav to issue an incentive cheque of a fat amount to Sham. They were to celebrate his success with a grand party.

** *** ***
It was afternoon and family members of Raizada house were having their afternoon nap. Aakash, mamaji and Arnav were in the office after lunch and Anjali was taking rest in her room. She had forbidden Sham from entering their room and he was stationed in the guest room. He was disappointed initially and pestered her to change her decision. But later on didn’t bother much about it as his success made him so happy that he even forgot that he had a wife.

The bell rang and Ram Prakash opened the door. There was a firing in the air, so loud that everyone got up with a jerk. Sham came out of the room stopped in shock. Soon recovering, he went back and closed the door, bent down and looked through the peep hole. Naniji had already reached the hall looking around.
"Where is he?" a person banged on the door again. Ram Prakash looked at him frightened. "Call him out!" roared the person. He looked behind and his men barged in pushing Ram Prakash out of their way.

"What is it? Who is it?" Roared Nani. She was upset looking at the set of hooligans at her door.

The person came in staring at Nani. Nani looked at him. He was huge in size around six feet tall, with broad shoulders, long curly mane, wearing typical politicians attire of while kurta, jeans and a jacket. He had big mustache and stubble. He looked like a sot maniac. He had redish eyes full of loathing and glint. His teeth blackened and mouth red with constant tobacco chewing. He spat on the floor.
"Where is he?" he asked taking a step ahead.
"Who? Whom do you want?" asked nani trying to keep her voice steady.
"Ram Prakash, bring in some water for these gentlemen" She ordered and asked the gatecrasher intruder to come in. She knew she had to handle this diplomatically.

"Whom do you want? And who are you?"She asked keeping her voice calm.
"Call your son in law, that scoundrel Sham. I want to talk to him, right now!" said the intruder arrogantly.
"He is not at home. He is out for business purpose" she said looking in the direction of guest room. The door was tightly closed.

The intruder stared at her for a while and then getting up, said, "Tell him! I had come for him."
"Who?" She asked again.
"You wouldn't want to know who I am, you (Budhiya!) old lady!" he said smirking.
She still stood there waiting for the answer looking straight into his eyes.
"Tell him!" He took a step forward towards Nani, she refused to back away! "Tell him Ratan Singh Thakur had come!" He looked at her with a glint of arrogance.
"Ratan Singh Thakur, son of Nirmal Singh Thakur from Kanpur!!" He re-uttered and she froze...!

He left the house with his men leaving Nani in shock. The storm had reached the doorsteps.