If you can know me

The meeting

Grumbling about my shitty luck and life in general , I headed towards the bathroom to get ready to face the day.

Each day exactly same as the one before ,for the three months that I have been here.

Little did I know how fickle fate can be.

About twenty minutes later I was as ready as I can be . I stared at the man in suit in the mirror. A practised smile, an easygoing charm and the immaculate behaviour of a potential businessman greeted me back. He exuded an aura of confidence, surety of success glinting in his eyes. A sure heir of the extensive business of  Behera Timbers and Enterprises Ltd.

Susant Behera, the only son of Mahavir Behera , one of the most successful entrepreneurs of India was considered a big catch in the world of  matrimonial hounds. Tall, handsome and wealthy; possibly having girls swooning at his feet. The dream of parents of every eligible girl who was of age. Mr. Perfect for sure.

And that was not me; just an image.

Just imagine the looks of horror on their faces when they find out the man behind the perfect facade. I chuckled darkly at the thought.

And yes, I as far as I am concerned , I don't deserve to get married and drag someone into the mess I am. If ever get someone in the first place.

Today was a big day for my father.

Being a successful timber enterpreuner, he was getting a big contract from government for setting up a timber project near Paradip. It was in collaboration of a foreign timber processing zone aiming to supply wood to the local industries.

My father had been hounding after getting this project for the past five years ; running after Paradip Port Trust or permission from central government to set up a suitable place - a hundred acres land in outskirts of Paradip as the site.

Business shark, that's what he is.

Once he had his eyes on something he never stopped till he acquired it.
No wonder, he had expanded the family business in the past fifteen years from a mere local business to a respected Enterprise of India .

At the cost of distancing from his own family.

My father and I always had a strained relationship. Even when I was young he never had time to spare. Never had time to come back home,even on festivals. He barely was home at any point of time. And when he was at home , he stuck to his study, grunting monosyllabic replies or shouting at some servant for disturbing him.

Yeah , pretty much a happy family life.

But what made me resent him more  was that he wasn't present when we needed him most. When my mother needed him most. Material happiness isn't always everything; family is based on love, not money.

Well, after five years of persistent and careful manipulation, father emerged victorious . For the past three months , I have been meeting other local land owners, and persuading them to sell their lands over to our company, convincing them to have a share in the profit.

Nothing works better than a charming smile. Sometimes familiarity wins what force cannot do. A little friendship, courteous words , trustworthy  aura and a promise of share had them melting down. Even father was impressed. Now he is ecstatic after getting the final clearance from government.

As a reward , he has invited me today to his office headquarters to represent his project before the Malaysian foreign officials who are investing in  this project.

I guess it's a huge leap of faith in his part if he is willing to declare me officially as a heir to his business today. No wonder I'm jittery.

As I headed out of the house , our old housekeeper , Damyanti rushed in saying," Babu, please eat this curd and sugar  before you go. It's considered good luck."

Good luck?Ha! I don't believe in it anymore. Nevertheless, I  gave her a grateful smile and took one spoon of it, just to make her happy. 
           ************************

Finally.

" Mr. Behera your son is a genius. We would be happy to invest in your project ."
" Oh yes , of course Mr. Gilani, after all whose son is he?", my father winked at the major investor and fellow businessman , once the meeting was over. Suddenly, he turned around and hugged me. I instantly felt disgusted at his fake outward show of love for his son. If there is anyone who knows how to sway people , it's my father. I will give him points for that .

Today had been a hectic day. After intense discussion about different business prospects, shares and land availability, use of appropriate technology ,etc.  we finally ended the meeting on a positive note.

I even saw a glint of pride in my father's eyes, but I may have imagined it.
********

It was nearly 9pm now. The guests had already  retreated back to their hotels long before. Even father had left.

I finished the blueprint I was working on and sat back, massaging my temples. Enough, I thought . It's getting late, I should go back home.

Taking my car keys , I headed out of our office( Oh, I forgot to mention, it is on the tenth floor of Bikash Towers) and headed down , taking the elevators. I nodded at the security who flashed me a smile as soon as I came out of the elevators. I took my car keys from him.

In ten minutes I had pulled out from the basement and was already on my way , driving through the NH . 

It was a hot, humid night. So I discarded my jacket and unbuttoned my sleeves to feel the air blowing across as I  drove on . Damn , I even felt good.
I refused to let my thoughts wander away in the direction of the nightmares ; promising to call up my shrink as soon as possible for a remedy. But that headache's for later.

Everything was OK.

Until I heard the scream.
  

**** heys guys, tell me how you find it. Boring, eh? 
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Want to know what Susant heard? Have patience;):)  ***
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