A Hundred Flukes

Job

Chapter 10

The stage for Delhi rains was set. Loud and roguish winds announced the arrival of monsoon as dense clouds enwrapped the morning sky. Khushi heard it's joyful thunder just as she rang the temple bells. A soft misty smoke of the incense rose from the deity’s feet that filled her senses with awe as always. She knew she was early, it was only half past seven and the office began at nine but that gave her enough time to hear the morning prayers. She had chosen her favorite orange coloured kurti with golden designs that matched with her sneakers. The three laddoos that Madhumati made for her felt so good in her stomach.

As she came out, she saw a little beggar girl with no arms crying on the steps. Khushi felt her purse and took out most of the coins she had. In the process her bag dropped on the ground and a white envelope fell out. Before she could see, a gust of wind blew it away. Khushi lifted her bag, gave the coins to the girl and left.

*****

Vladislav Baryshnikov, owner of Moda Baryshnicovs, Russia - The Russian fashion giant, called ASR on his mobile phone, to express his deep regret over not being able to join him in India where the two companies would witness their major collaboration. Baryshnicov's health was on a decline since he was diagnosed of leukemia and he intended to send his immediate successor Stanislav Agafonov, the first non-Baryshnicov to take over the Baryshnikov business after the former retired. Vladislav held deep admiration for his young Indian counter-part and maintained 'equals should deal with equals' and thus was apologetic that ASR will have to sign the deal with his junior (at least in position) Agafonov. ASR, on the other hand considered everything apart from the signed deal not worth a tinker's damn. He was relieved that he'd be free of the formality of showing Baryshnikov around the city. Baryshnikov concluded the call by giving his sincere compliment to his Indian counterpart, saying that he could see AR as one of the biggest fashion houses of the world in near future.

ASR however, despite of being unwilling at first, decided to receive his Russian guests at the airport personally instead of sending for his manager - an extraordinary gesture when it came to ASR.

Stanislav Agafonov disembarked the private jet along with his subordinates Yegor Vetrov and Illarion Barkov.

"Dobro pozhalovat'v India (Welcome to India.)" ASR enunciated Russian with such perfection that took Agafonov by a surprise.

"Moy boss must haf' spoken to you on phone." Agafonov said in a heavily accented English.

"Yes we did. I am informed about his health and I wish he recovers soon. “said ASR almost mechanically. "Meet my manager Aman Mathur, he'd be taking you to our guest house, I hope you take pleasure in your stay here."

Stanislav Agafonov delighted in his captious self. His father had imbibed in him, a strong sense to find fault. He wasn't convinced when his superior had said 'byt' uvereny, net oshibki' regarding their Indian partners. Nothing could be perfect, was Agafonov's belief ; Neudovletvorennost' (excessively critical), was what his superior called him. So far, the Indian hospitality impressed him, although it wasn't something he'd admit to himself.

****

The inventory wasn't like what Khushi had imagined it to be. It was larger and with a huge number of cartons towards her left. There was the same familiar symbol of AR on the right wall, this time only a lot more familiar but still she couldn't recollect, exactly where she had seen it. The man sitting at the desk was busy talking with another one standing. "Excuse me," she said, "I am Khushi Kumari Gupta, I got appointed for the post of...."

"Show me your appointment letter please." said the sitting man interrupting her. Khushi opened her bag and rummaged through its contents. She went pale, she couldn't see the white envelope. The man became impatient after a while, "tell me, do you have the appointment or no?". "I had it, I can't find it." she said and pulled out one item after other from her bag, an idol (tiny) of goddess Durga, tit-bits, a jar of Chyavanprash, a comb, some berries which she didn't take out and a ....tiny key, it was the same key that Arnav Singh Raizada had thrown away at the dargaha, she still had it on herself although she couldn't figure out why. Did she intend to keep it as a souvenir, reminding her that she had once met such a man?