110

“What are you going to do with this, Sir?” Aman stressed on the word Sir, pointing at the letter.  Now he had a new boss.  Aakash adjusted his spectacles.  

“Bhai used to handle this…!” he said gravely.  There was no trace of his bhai for the last three days, after the house meeting.  No one knew about his whereabouts.  

Aman waited for some response from Aakash.  The restlessness in the office was very evident.  People were discussing about ASR’s mysterious absence from the office.  The rumors were on high in the office.  Everyone was trying to interpret his absence.  Some said he was setting up a new unit, some said he and Aakash split, a few said he was taking off for his sister’s wedding, few more were of the opinion that the company will close down spreading panicky…! All this culminated in gossip, reduction in productivity, people trying elsewhere sending their resumes and  a further dip in sales!

“Ok. I will talk to Mr. Mehra and decide!” he said procrastinating.  Aman moved out of the cabin which was ASR’s cabin a week ago.  Aakash and Aman were ASR’s hands and now mindless and brainless hands remained.  Aman knew, Aakash was incapable of taking big decisions and risks. 

Aakash sat sagging in the chair, lamenting.  His Bhai had disappeared and he had to take the decision on this consortium notification.  He looked out of the cabin down in the reception area, dejected and his eyes flashed looking at the cluster of models waiting for him.  

“Lavanya…!” he blurted in excitement.  She handled such events with Bhai, he knew.  She could be consulted… With Lavanya, he remembered Regi.  He called Aman.

“I want to talk to Regi and Lavanya…!” he said and Aman’s eyes popped out of the sockets.

“Lavanya?” he exclaimed in disbelief.  Aakash fumbled.

“First call Regi…!” he almost ordered and Aman dialed Regi’s number.  Regi was still with AR designs though working from his hometown and shunting between Bangalore and Kannur.  Aman gave the phone to Aakash and walked out.  He must tell this to ASR.  Aakash was all set to call back the disaster, called Lavanya.  Something must be done to call back ASR.  In a couple of days,, Aakash had shown his inability to run the show.  The consortium notification would put him in test again.  The conference was to be held in Paris followed by a Fashion show and AR designs must participate.  “Opportunity to turn around …” Aakash’s eyes flashed with new possibility.  ASR’s ace designer, Regi and Ace convener Lavanya, both were missing.  Efforts must be taken to bring them back on the scene.  

*******   ********  ********

“Ok. Puttar… give me a few hours time.  This old man needs some time to think…!” Papaji sounded weak and tired.  When he disconnected, he sat on his wife’s bed.  

“What happened?” Mummiji asked worriedly. 

“Aakash had called… About the International Consortium of Garments Annual Conference…! He offered a joint representation…” Papaji said gravely.

“And why did he call you? Elsa looks after KFH! " She didn't like Papaji interfering in others' business. 

"And Where is Arnav?” asked mummiji.  “Aakash doesn’t know!” Papaji looked more grim.  

“Where is he? I am asking you..!” Mummiji gripped Papaji’s arm.

“On a selling spree…Offering his land at throw away price…” Papaji said gravely.

“Why?” Mummiji asked bewildered.  Papaji shrugged…!

“Aakash and other board members want to close down AR designs… Arnav’s baby! and focus on other companies, where Aakash has a major share…” Papaji said and Mummiji gaped in disbelief.

“So?” she asked.

“So? So… he wants to raise money himself to save his company…!” 

“Why can’t you help?” she asked and he shook his head.

“He wouldn’t like it.” Papaji looked at her grave face. 

“Are you hiding something from me?” she asked suspiciously.  He held her hand.

“No, Biwi..!” He said honestly.  “But Arnav is in financial trouble… And his brother is trying to supersede his decisions.. “ Papaji gave it in a nutshell.  She fell silent.  

“Khushi…?” she was suddenly worried.  “No.  Khushi doesn’t know anything about this…!” he said to her relief. 

“Ok.  We will discuss when he comes here for the wedding..” she concluded sending the thoughts aside.  The pressing matter was Anjali and Shondeep’s wedding.  

********   ********   *********

“I don’t know, what is going on…!” Aman said over the phone. 

“Humm…!” Khushi was deep in thoughts. 

“I need to talk to him, Khushi and he is unavailable…!” Aman was frustrated.

“Humm…!” Khushi responded deep in thoughts.  

“Aman sir… Accompany Aakash Jijaji to Mr. Mehra…!” she said and Aman gaped.

“Why would he take me there?” he asked astounded.

“He will.  You are .. I mean were ASR sir’s right hand man.  You know nitty-gritty, of such events… so he will want you to come with him, in case he needed any crucial information and data…! Just go with him and … . !” She spoke with him for a long time.

“You are impossible…! Nothing like this is going to happen…!” Aman said exasperated.  She grinned.

“Yeah.. Chances are less… but in case this happens you know what to do..!” she disconnected humming wickedly.

“The husband ASR… if you are playing games… I am the master of this game..!” she dashed off to the kitchen.

“This needs something yummy… like pasta or something….” She licked her lips feeling hungry. 

“No pasta…!” Vasu said obeying orders from Mummiji.  

“Why?” Khushi sulked.  “No packet food! Not good for health…!” got the answer. 

“I will give you something in white sauce if you want..!” Vasu said and Khushi grinned. 

“Yeah… Little bit..!” she said seeing Vasu opening the pasta packet..! 

“ASR ki jay ho!” she said holding her tummy gently and came out. 

The game had began….! Soon results would be out…! ASR Vs everybody else…including his Khushi!