Living in a Mirage

Chapter Thirty-One

"I seem to have loved you in numberless forms, numberless times...In life after life, in age after age, forever."

— Rabindranath Tagore

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While many predicted and hoped for Mr Malhotra's downfall, despite having all the reasons, those in power to catapult his rule seemed to hesitate. There was no end to human greediness, Manik had strongly believed, but he hadn't expected the shareholders to waver and not cash the only chance they would get to throw away Mr Malhotra as soon as it presented. Fortunately, with a bit of effort, a few recognized the golden opportunity and began to work along with Manik to convince the other shareholders to abandon Mr Malhotra's soon-to-be sinking ship. As per Manik's assessment, the present gathering was starting to look more and more like it would be the last needed to end Mr Malhotra's reign.

"But for business to continue, stability is what's needed the most," Mr Ramchand, the head shareholder, protested.

"Mr Malhotra is almost eighty. He should be replaced anyway," Miss Singh stated, apathetic and firm.

"You will replace your father. What's our gain in that?" Mr Zahir scoffed at Manik, ironically overlooking how he himself had recently replaced his father as a shareholder.

"Please read my proposal," Manik repeated. "In the agreement I presented, it's stated that in the upcoming years, whenever demanded by the board, I will be selling my shares under the condition that everything in the name of Mr Malhotra would be rebranded. So in the end, there will be no Malhotra coming after you to reclaim the ownership."

If anyone had paid attention to him during these meetings, they would have known that it had been his plan since the start. For Mr Malhotra to be gone and have no influence or any chance of coming back, all the ties that connected him to Malhotra Industries had to be cut, including the ones Manik had. He was still undecided about what to do with the money that would come with selling the shares his grandfather had granted him. Even though he had little interest in wealth, he couldn't deny its convenience and the power that came with it. Power that he would need to fight off Mr Malhotra when he decides to attack once again. Knowing Mr Malhotra, he would. His father wasn't the kind of man who let anyone win against him. Whenever that may be, Manik knew he needed to be ready to fight back.

"I am glad we could reach an agreement," Manik repeated to the last shareholder and sighed. Smiling at Devansh, who thumped his back with a wide grin.

With that accomplished, finally, Mr Malhotra's reign came to an end.

Manik had thought he would feel happy when it would end, but he didn't feel that rush of win or satisfaction he had anticipated. Maybe his reactions were delayed, or maybe it meant he was no longer the Manik he had been a few years ago. He wasn't that vindictive or sadistic. He had done it out of necessity. Or maybe he was mature now, and he no longer felt the need to invest any kind of emotions in unnecessary people. All of that was unclear. What he mostly felt was a deep sense of relief; his father no longer had the means or power to come after him and Nandini. Mr Malhotra will spend the rest of his life recovering from the loss of his empire, and with his focus dedicated to accumulating the same wealth and power he had, hopefully, he will forget about them.

"It's done?" Nandini asked as soon as she entered the terrace of his hotel room.

"You will celebrate with me, won't you?" Manik asked, raising the chilled drinks in the air, beckoning her.

It was a nice evening for summer in India. The sun was dipping low on the horizon, painting the sky with hues of orange and pink. A gentle breeze, sweetened by the blooming jasmine nearby, was cooling down the temperature. The sound of her giggle and bangles ringing in the air as she came towards him only elevated the atmosphere of the leisure he was surrounded by.