Opposite Poles..Part 101

Part 101

“Here is a report sir.  His four year financial data and his client list!  The growth chart and its interpretation..!” Tushar kept the file on his table. 

“Humm...!” he said gesturing him to sit.  Tushar looked at his boss Mr. Balwindar Singh.  He kept the file aside and asked.

“Ok! Leave the facts and files, Tushar, tell me what do you think..!” Tushar fumbled at this.  His boss was asking his opinion.  He adjusted his spectacles.  Balwindar Singh was looking at him.

“Umm .. me sir?” he asked nervously.  “Yes, Tushar, tell me what do you think?” Balwindar Singh was  patient enough.  He waited.

“Umm... Sir..!” Tushar started off.  “Sir.. looking at the financial figures, he has made exceptional progress... Throughout this group is in Garment and Fashion industry.  But this year they are diversifying to construction...!” He waited.  Balwindar Singh raised his eyebrow.  

“Construction?” he was surprised.  “Why?” he asked Tushar.  Tushar thought for a while.. his funds flow knowledge prompted him...

“Umm.. Because it’s a lucrative business nowadays..!” he said.  “Ok! Tushar Call Shondeep!” ordered Balwindar Singh.  Tushar went out go call Shondeep.  The closed door meeting continued with Shondeep..!

“Sir... Are you planning to take over?” Tushar asked looking at the way the discussion was going..!  Balwindar Singh looked at him.

“Do you think we should go in for that?” he asked looking at both of his men.

“Sir.. No!” Tushar said firmly.  Shondeep looked at him.

“Sir look at this.. the funds are diverted to the diversification.. the new venture..! He is developing the properties in smaller towns..! The finance is locked up.  If we take over now, we will have to pump in a lot of money...! Are we going in for construction too?” he asked his boss.  Balwindar Singh shook his head.

“We do not have construction expertise, right now!” he said.  “Expertise can be hired! AR group has done it!” said Shondeep.  Balwindar Singh shook his head.  “I wouldn’t do that!”

“Sir, another piece of information... his first project in Delhi itself is grounded..! The collaboration failed since the other company Mehta Construction failed to deliver!” Tushar said.  

“Sir, if you want to kill the competition.. this is the right time! Take over..! keep it defunct for a couple of years and divert the business to KFH, Kolkata Fashion House!” Tushar gave him the advice. 

“We can collaborate..!” Shondeep gave alternative.  “This is like this... we can collaborate.. with non compete agreement.. working jointly keeping our independence..!” Shondeep went on elaborating the points.  

“Sir, there is only one decision maker in the group of three companies..!” Tushar gave him the vital information.

“Have you found out, who influences his decisions?” Balwindar Singh asked. 

“No one! He takes all the decisions! No one can influence.. not his colleagues or no one at home!” Tushar disclosed.

“Home?” he asked.

“Not yet married... has live in relationship with his girlfriend... she stays in his house .. has a joint family... his sister is the most influential person.. she is everything to him...!” said Tushar looking into the file.  “Humm.. Balwindar Singh stroked his beard.  

“Ok! Tushar, fix a meeting with him next month end and keep probing..!” Balwindar Singh got up suggesting that the meeting was over.  

*********    ******   ******

“This is it! I can do this..!” ASR blurted to himself.  After a thorough study of the information gathered on Kolkata Fashion House, he was sure he can handle this to his advantage.

“I will take over! And once i do this.. i will have a better presence in Eastern India..! KFH is the better solution..! It’s a part of a bigger group but its stand alone.  They are into textile chain, nothing to do with garments.. They are only fabric manufacturer... !” his thought process focused on the fact that AR group had a presence all over... not only in India but in five other countries.  

“This KFH is only a dummy company for them... Once i take over.. I will AR group to a new height..!” ASR had made up his mind.  He had plans to have smooth take over.  He needed to talk to the MD, Mr. Balwindar Singh.  “This is a very big group, Arnav.. Five times bigger that AR group..Be careful!” ASR warned himself.  He was working on those prospects for a very long time studying the financials and the growth prospects  

“We have a very small buying share from BTR group.  I need to increase my buying from BTR group and then may be ... over a period of two years there will be smooth transition!” He thought. 

“What if the things don’t work out?” his devil’s advocate mind warned him. 

“I have a plan B to collaborate..!” he smirked.  He had alternatives ready...!

“I should meet this Sardarji, Balwindar Singh, as early as possible.. May be next week?” he thought impatiently.  But that was not possible!  ..

********  *****  ****

“Jiji, these people are so nice...!” Khushi looked at Raizadas with gratitude.  Aakash, Anjali, Mamaji and Nani ji had come to visit.  Anjali and Aakash visited almost every day.  Khushi was happy for her jiji.  She could sense the feelings of Aakash towards her Jiji.  

“I will do anything for your happiness, Jiji!” she thought.  But that was not the time to do something.  She had to take care of her Babuji.  Sham was there always, except for some time! He used to disappear suddenly and then reappear giving some excuses.  Khushi had no time to think over it also.  It was eight days since Babuji was admitted to the hospital.  She hardly had time to sleep.  

“You will be discharged today...!” The doctor spoke soothingly.  Babuji was expressionless with his skewed face and his paralysed right side.  He couldn’t speak nor lift his hand.  He couldn’t stop his tears...!  “Don’t worry! There will be improvement with Physiotherapy!” the doctor assured.  Khushi joined her hands with gratitude.  She didn’t know how to thank the doctors.  

“Ok.. go get the papers ready and we will discharge him...!” the doctor told Khushi and she ran out.  She was to collect the papers.  All the bills were already cleared and the pharmacy guy gave her the packet.  “Medicines for a month!” he said pointing at the prescription and instruction sheet.  Khushi took the packet and came back with the file.  

“Babuji.. we are going home..! Don’t worry, you will soon be alright..!” she said holding his hand and smiling.  She had already sent Amma and Buwaji home.  Payal was packing and Khushi waited nervously for the ambulance.  Sham walked in. 

“Khushi ji.. Don’t worry! We will manage everything...!” Khushi looked up at him.

“Sham ji, tell me, did you pay the bills? How did you arrange the money?”  She asked looking straight into his eyes.  He avoided her gaze.

“Khushi, it really doesn’t matter, who paid the bills! I won’t tell!” he held her hand.  She gaped at him. 

“What were the total dues?” she asked him.  He didn’t know.  He fumbled.

“Khushi..! Please stop asking..!” he squeezed her hand and she withdrew it immediately.  She got up with a jerk and said

“I will find out and pay you! Please give me some time.  I will pay back everything...!” she was determined.

“Khushi, is he not my uncle ji?” he asked coming nearer again.  She took a step back and said.

“But he is my babuji and i will pay for him..!” she looked away.  Sham gaped at her.  This was the right time to strike...!

“Umm actually, the other day, we were talking about you!” he opened up the topic.

“Uncle ji was hurrying for the marriage.  But i told him to wait.  He wants our marriage to happen as early as possible!” he said looking at her intently.

“Sham ji? How can you talk about it now? Is this the time to think about these things?” she was shocked as well as angry.  She walked away.  Then came back.  “Please, don’t discuss this again...! Hope you understand!” she said walking away again.  Sham clenched his fists.. “Let me see how long you avoid me, Khushi! You have to be mine!” he smirked.

They got babuji home and Sham walked in with bags.

“What?” Khushi asked him shocked.  He smiled sweetly.  “I am staying to take care of your babuji!” Khushi was speechless in shock.  Buwaji came forward to take his bags. 

“I am taking all the responsibility..! I am in charge of the patient now!” he declared looking around expecting appreciation which he did.  His phone rang.. he went out hurriedly.

“Haan, Rani Sahebaa! I told you, i won’t be able to come home for a couple of weeks atleast...!” he tried to pacify her wife looking around, in a hushed voice.  

Khushi’s phone rang.  It was from her accounts department.  “Your clearance cheque is ready...!” said the accounts assistant.  She thanked him.  “Ms Gupta, just wanted to enquire... did you receive all the medicines prescribed?” he asked and she said yes.  He disconnected.  She smiled and turned.

“Wait a minute...! How does he know about the medicines...?” she head spinning, she turned around and dialled the number...  The accountant assistant picked up .

“Sir, how do you know about the medicines?” she asked.  The man at the other side fumbled...

“Umm i was told to ask!” he disconnected.  Khushi’s little brain triggered.  “I must find out!”

“Sham ji?” she called out.  Sham came in smiling... 

“Here..Tea!” she gave him the cup.  “About the medicines....!” she paused.  Sham looked at her.

“Don’t worry.. give the list to me.. i will get them for the week..!” He said keeping his hand on his pocket.  Khushi’s mouth fell open... “He does not know? He paid the bills? Did he really?” she gaped.  “Beware Khushi... keep quiet...!” her growl commanded her.  She smiled.  

“No need.. Sham ji.. i bought them..!” she said smiling and got up.  He followed. 

“Give them to me.  I will make a schedule... !” he took the packet from her.  She stood there shocked.

********   *****

“Khushi... you can go to the office from tomorrow..!” Payal said and her heart ached.  “umm? Haan! .. umm no Jiji.. I won’t till babuji gets well!” she said with determination.  She had not told anyone in the house, that she was relieved from the job.  The raizadas were wise enough not to open the topic.

“Khushi... Kaam bhi toh jaruri hain na? You need to work...!” Payal said holding her hand but Khushi ignored her and getting up, blurted.. “I will have to work... yes.. work.. somehow, somewhere.. do something...!” she went out picking up her phone.  Next couple of hours she was in the backyard talking to people over the phone..!

“Jiji... I am going out... will be back soon..!” she said picking up her bag and running out.  Her first destination was Happy Singh’s Garage...!”