Part 97

Next day morning Arnav and Aakash went to the office together not bothering about Sham this time. Aman was at the office waiting for them. They had a closed door meeting and three pink slips were printed with immediate effect. The other employees started rushing in at the office time.

"Time to clean up the dirt, Aman!" said ASR. Aman felt proud to be associated with him. For the first time in his career, he was discussing matters with his boss as equals.

Exactly at 9.30, the HR manager’s intercom buzzed. He was called. When he came in ASR's cabin he was shocked to see Aman sitting with ASR.  Aakash handed over the termination letter to him saying, his services are not required.

"But.. then..I mean.. " the manager opened his mouth to defend himself.
"Enough!" roared ASR and holding out his hand said "Thank you for your services and Good bye!"

That put an end to further discussion. The HR manager was first to go. He had systematically brainwashed the ASR loyal people and made them to resign feeling insecure. "Aman, I wish I had stopped the other three!" ASR said regretfully.

"Sir! If you permit, May I talk to them?" asked Aman. "Aman! what are you waiting for?" ASR thrust the phone in his hand.  Aman was more than happy to take up this responsibility.

ASR called the assistant HR manager and gave him the letter of new assignment and promotion to HR Manager. He was the one who had told Aman what was going on with the HR intervention.

Exactly at 11.00 am the security head walked into ASR's cabin with the reports.
"Sir, here are the reports of the breakdowns and power failure. It was a malfunction in the circuit and MCB stabilizers, Sir" he said with a sense of accomplishment.

"Oh! No! that’s not the reason! Failure is not the cause; sabotage is the cause Mr. Roy!"Said Aakash sternly. The security head was shocked!

"What? How do you know sir?" he asked.
"Mr. Roy, you had disconnected all the CCDs under the pretext of rewiring, but unfortunately the CCD at the entrance was on and we saw the footage."

Your report failed to mention that, Mr. Roy! And thank you for your services but we are hiring a new security agency." Roy was aghast!

"Mr Roy, I request you to hand over the charge to the person waiting outside! Your services terminated with immediate effect!" said Aakash in a stern voice showing Mr. Roy the door out!

"Hello, Mr. System Administrator!" greeted Aakash sarcastically. The sys admn looked confused. "What is it Sir? Is there any problem?" he asked looking worried. Aakash handed out an envelop. The Sys Admin looked puzzled. "Pink slip inside!" said Aakash gravely. Admin was shocked. He looked ghostly. "We are Sorry!" Aakash said and dismissed him without attaching reason for his termination. The sys Admin had systematically infiltrated into the organization leaking out all the vital information, since he had access to all the systems in the company.

"This calls for a time out and coffee!" declared ASR. Aman went out to order coffee. "
"Aakash, we escaped narrowly this time too! Had I not gone to Aman, it would have been a disaster for the company!" Arnav said gravely. "Its true, Bhai!" said Aakash. Aman came in “Sir we need to appoint new sys. admin." he said.

"That can wait Aman, But I need to talk to my staff, first, to clear all the doubts!" Arnav ordered Aman to arrange the meeting with the staff.

It was almost six in the evening when Aman, Aakash and ASR came out of the office. Arnav placing his hand on Aman's shoulder said genuinely, "Aman! Thanks a lot! You are my right hand man !"
"Its my honour, sir" Aman said putting his hand on his heart! Everything seemed to be alright.

**8 **** ***

Sham was surprised to see the brothers missing at the breakfast table. Mamaji told him that they both left early morning. Sham was puzzled. "This is my last opportunity!" he thought getting ready to go out.

Sham did not bother about the lunch and went out without even informing Anjali. She was worried but did not try to contact him. Aakash had called up Payal to tell her not to wait for him and Bhai for lunch and they would have it in the office itself.

Arnav and Aakash came home in the evening and found sham missing. They exchanged dark looks. Arnav dialled a number. "Sorry sir, he gave us a slip!" said the voice at the other end. "Damn it!" Arnav muttered and disconnected.

It was late in the night after dinner, sham entered Raizada House to find Arnav waiting for him in the hall. He looked surprised. "Hello Saale Saab? Still Awake?" he asked. Arnav stared at him with disgust.

"Saale Saab! Tell me one thing. How did Khushi ji become so rich in this short span of time? I wonder! What trick she must have played on the person who is doing anything for her...!" he clearly was provoking Arnav to pick up the fight. Arnav got up in a jerk and leapt forward to bash Sham.
Sham reflexively covered his face in defence. Arnav came closer, stood up to him and whispered "JIJAJI, you better be in your limits! I know where you had been!" with gritted teeth.

Sham was taken aback. Shocked, he asked "What?" Arnav looked straight into his eyes challenging him. Sham took a step backwards and turning, he left for his room. Arnav exhaled furiously.
Anjali came out. "Chote, has he come back?" she asked seeing Arnav in the hall.

"Yes, Di. He is here" said Arnav disgusted.
"Did he have his dinner?" asked Anjali looking tired.
"I don't know Di. But he must have had his dinner outside!" said Arnav and left the hall.

Anjali went back to her room and Sham appeared at the table to find no one at the table with his plate. He frowned. He went in to the kitchen to find no one there, filled up his plate and ate alone.
Arnav came back to his room burning with rage. "How dare he take her name?" he was enraged.

"Arnav ji?" called out Khushi. He knew she was here knocking the door of his dream! He pulled the blanket over his head to open the dream door for her!
Thirteen days left!!!!