Are you still there?

Chapter 3_Breaking Glasses

"So aap ja rahe ho"(So you are going) 

"Haan, I mean why wouldn't ?" I ask my brother over skype, packing my clothes.

"No no, not at all, you should definitely go. I was just asking because I know those people don't deserve your time, and you don't like showing off. But you know di, sometimes it's not wrong to show off" he winks at me through the video call.

"Aha, says who? Baba Chanchoddas Shyamal Das Chanchad", I ask laughing.

"Nah, Mahan Sri Sri Kunal Gupta says so", he replies with the same laughter.

"But seriously di, what you do is not even close to showing off. You have worked your ass off for what you are today, and there's nothing wrong showing that to people who have spoken ill of you"

"Hmmm..."

"What hmmm... Promise me you are going to show your jazz"

"Arrey Bhai, what do you want me to do? I'll be myself alright. Whom I'm now, the confident, independent happy businesswoman, alright!"

"Yup, that's the spirit! But di, despite you saying all this, I know you are not very keen on proving yourself or any such thing, especially to them and you are right too. They don't deserve it too. But then why are you going there?"

"Kunal, it's not a reunion. It's Shivani's wedding. And Shivani has been very good to me. She's a very good soul. And I genuinely wanna go there."

"So what are you planning to wear?"

I come and sit in front of my laptop placed on the corner table leaving my bags. "I seriously have not decided, I was just packing some important files. Anyway, I'm still upset about canceling our plans. I wish you have not had this sudden conference in Bangalore yaar. Come back soon Kunal"

"You don't worry di, I'll be back when you are back from this wedding. We will still have more than a week. And we will go to break through or Thekkady or somewhere new! You just be ready"

We talk for some more time until it's time for Kunal to leave the call. The clock strikes 12 AM. It's Tuesday now. And I have to leave for the wedding early on Wednesday morning. 

Meanwhile somewhere in London

"The stakeholders were very skeptical. I've somehow managed to convince the investors Mr. Raizada. Hope you won't let my name down", says Lisa.

"We owe you big time Lisa", says Aakash.

"ASR is the face of the business. I don't have to tell to you. But you have put me in the spotlight now and I have to do this"

"Trust me, Lisa. This was a one-time scenario. It would never repeat again"

"You better keep your word if you know what's good for your company"

Lisa leaves the waiting room, leaving Aakash alone with his thoughts, only to be disturbed by Aman's call.

"Haan Aman, the deal is done... Yes... Lisa managed. I'll tell you there. Hope you didn't leave bhai alone...  Yes, I'll be there in an hour max... Yes, bye"

--

VIP Ward, St Thomas Hospital, London

"VIP Ward wasn't needed Aakash"

"Bhai! What are you trying to say?"

"No one knows us here. The normal wards are also pretty well here. I've caused much damage already. Why waste more pounds?"

"Bhai, we can very well afford this, and what happened was not in your hands entirely. But how we are going to handle this, is surely in our hands. Nothing is lost bhai. Lisa managed to convince the investors. The deal is on. And you are its face. We have to make this happen, no room for mistakes. And I know ASR is fond of facing challenges and acing it", Aakash says with high spirits.

"You sound so much me AK. And I'm not going to let you down"

"You won't bhai. I know. Take rest now, we'll fly in 2 days. And yes, no one knows this back in India. If you want me to maintain this lie, you better get well soon", Aakash the mommy says.

Arnav

Aakash leaves me to rest. I've always seen Aakash calm and composed. And I've always thought that was only because he's not faced any such do-or-die situation. But he's proven me wrong today. 

What happened today was more than do-or-die. Our company would have eaten sand, along with all the stakeholders and employees had the deal got rejected today. 

All this has happened only because of my stupidity. I'm glad I got to see the tremendous leadership of my little brother. But I know I would never be able to forgive myself for the trouble I put my people through. 

And all this trouble for something that's no more there. I'm beginning to realize what people say about Karma is true. It is a bitch.